Bharat Gaurav Scheme

In the month of November 2021, Indian Railways began operating the theme based Bharat Gaurav Train. Through Bharat Gaurav Trains, this subject seeks to highlight India’s outstanding historical sites and rich cultural legacy to the people of India and the rest of the globe. This program seeks to run theme-based trains to take use of India’s enormous tourist potential while leveraging the professionals in the tourism industry’s key competencies. The Indian Railways have introduced the Bharat Gaurav Scheme to take use of India’s enormous tourism potential. The Bharat Gaurav Scheme was announced by Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Minister of Railways. 

The Bharat Gaurav policy states that anybody can rent trains from Indian Railways to operate on a theme-based circuit as part of a unique travel package. The agreement has a minimum term of two years and a maximum term for the coach’s career. The route, the halts, the services offered, and—most importantly—the tariff are all at the operator’s discretion. The operator is able to choose the route, the halts, the services offered, and the pricing under the Bharat Gaurav plan.

Under the “Bharat Gaurav” program of the Indian Railways, the first private operator-operated train between Coimbatore and Shirdi was flagged off. The first-ever Bharat Gaurav Train was kicked off on the Coimbatore north to Sainagar Shirdi route, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The path of the train will pass through a number of historically significant locations, providing passengers with a glimpse into the nation’s rich cultural legacy. 

This Bharat Gaurav train will make a 5-hour halt at Mantralayam Road station on its way from Coimbatore in order to allow travelers to visit the Mantralayam temple. With the addition of the first service provider registered under the “Bharat Gaurav” plan, the Southern Railway became the first zone within the Indian Railways.

What is the Bharat Gaurav Scheme?

Any operator is able to rent trains from the Railways to run on a circuit with a specific theme as part of a unique travel package. The route, the halts, the services offered, and, most importantly, the tariff are all at the operator’s discretion. A potential service provider must register in order to request a rake of Bharat Gaurav trains in order to use them. For a minimum of two years and a maximum of the remaining life of the coaches, the service provider may have custody of the trains. The rake must consist of at least 14 coaches and a maximum of 20 coaches, with a minimum of 2 SLRs (Guard Vans). The guard and loco will be procured by the Railways.

Features of the Bharat Gaurav Train:

• A doctor will be present on board to handle any emergencies. 
• Along with the Railway Police Force, private security is employed to defend the train from any danger. Electricians, AC mechanics, fire and safety officers will all be on board.
• Smoke-free and completely toxic-free.
• The train is kept clean by reputable housekeeping service providers who will visit frequently to clean the utility spaces, and the caterers are skilled and knowledgeable about serving the traditional vegetarian cuisines.
• To keep the passengers entertained during the trip, the coaches are equipped with loud bass speakers and an on-rail Radio Jockey. 
• To make the journey more enjoyable, there will be live interviews, spiritual anecdotes, and devotional songs.

Constraints on the Operators:

• However, the Railways has steadfastly insisted that the operators cannot permit things that are prohibited by railroad laws. Alcohol cannot, for instance, be served in trains.
• In essence, the private operators will be given the autonomy to manage the company and create a business plan. The trains will be physically operated, maintained, and paid for by the Indian Railways.
• Additionally, the owners will be required to hire their own housekeeping and culinary staff.
• They are free to give the circuit a name, name the train, and charge for advertising space both inside and outside the train. 
• Additionally, the operators are free to collaborate with organisations for logistics and business development.
  Private operators are free to choose their own interior decoration and furniture choices for the train. The food and entertainment options for the trip are also up to them.
• The operator may choose the arrangement of the berths, but it is prohibited from changing or removing any crucial components of the coach that could affect the safety and functionality of the train.

Conclusion:

The Bharat Gaurav Scheme’s first private train in India set out from Tamil Nadu to Maharashtra. As part of a unique tourism package, the government program permits any private operator to rent trains from Indian Railways to run on a circuit based on a certain theme. Some people view the program as a blessing for those who desire to experience the nation’s numerous tourist attractions. However, some believe that this plan is the first significant step toward privatizing the railroads, a claim that officials dispute. In reality, a group of railroad workers organized a protest at the city railway station as the first train was flagged off in Coimbatore. If other initiatives of this nature are introduced in the future, the population of the nation will have the opportunity to travel, and the government will keep getting revenue.