In a bid to boost tourism, the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) and Indian Railways recently signed an agreement promoting a special tourist train to enhance tourist activities in the Himalayan state. Dr Harish Rairtolia, ACEO UTDB, and Sunil Kumar, Group General Manager, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), formalised the agreement in the presence of Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj.
"For the first time, a state tourism board has launched a domestic/inbound train to promote its lesser-known places. No other state has taken such an initiative before," Dr Rairtolia told Outlook Traveller.
The initiative plans to extend its reach by deploying special tourist trains from diverse parts of the country, like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Odisha. The goal is to highlight various destinations, such as the Kartik Swami Temple in Rudraprayag or the Jagannath Temple in Uttarkashi.
The exclusive train, expected to commence operations in April 2024, equipped with 2AC coaches, is designed to accommodate up to 500 guests in a single trip. IRCTC takes charge of comprehensive tour package services, managing aspects from onboard food to hotels, transport, and sightseeing. This all-inclusive approach ensures a hassle-free travel experience for guests, allowing them to focus on exploring Uttarakhand's unique attractions.
According to the Uttarakhand tourism department, IRCTC will organise train trips from various parts of the country, bringing people to the state's different railheads like Rishikesh, Ramnagar, or Kathgodam. Subsequently, a 6-7 day road (bus) journey will unfold, covering various locations in the state.
"IRCTC will plan a 6-month schedule, picking up individuals from different regions and transporting them to Uttarakhand, followed by a bus journey. This package includes food, bus tickets, accommodation, etc. Each journey will be uniquely named; for instance, if it covers Shiva temples, it will be called Panch Kedar, and if it focuses on Vishnu temples, we will call it Badri Special," Dr Rairtolia said.
"The destinations encompass both pilgrimage sites and leisure spots. For example, a visit to Naina Devi in Nainital includes exploration of other places of interest. Similarly, being in Almora involves visiting various locations besides the Nanda Devi temple," he added.
The road journey in Uttarakhand will span either six nights and seven days or five nights and six days. The duration of the train journey depends on its place of origin. For instance, if the train originates from Indore, the duration will be shorter, while it will be longer if it starts from Chennai. The fare is contingent on the overall trip duration.
"The approximate cost for each trip by IRCTC has been fixed between INR 2000 and 3000 per person per day," the Uttarakhand tourism department told OT.
With this move, the Himalayan state aims to promote its cuisine during travel and generate employment opportunities for locals who will serve as guides on this journey. "The local community will be roped in as tourist guides and is being trained for the same," said Dr Rairtolia.
Expected to start operations in April 2024, the initiative is a pioneering step to promote tourism in lesser-known destinations within Uttarakhand, particularly in the Manaskhand region. The first train is scheduled to connect various regional destinations.