Indian Railways flags off country’s first private train under Bharat Gaurav scheme

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The first train to be operated between Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) and Shirdi (Maharashtra) by a private operator under the "Bharat Gaurav" scheme of the Indian Railways was flagged off on June 14.

• With this Southern Railway became the first zone of the Indian Railways to be the first registered service provider under the "Bharat Gaurav" scheme.

• The stoppages of the train are Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Yelahanka, Dharmavaram, Mantralayam Road and Wadi.

• South Star Rail based in Coimbatore is the registered service provider operating the train.

• The service provider company has paid Rs 1 crore as security deposit to Southern Railway for the rake having 20 coach structure.

• Features of the train

• First AC Coach -1, 2-tier AC coaches – 3, 3-tier AC coaches-8, Sleeper Class coaches-5 , Pantry car-1 and Luggage-cum-Brake Vans-2. (Total – 20 coaches).

• About Bharat Gaurav Scheme

• In November 2021, Indian Railways introduced Bharat Gaurav trains which will be operated by private operators and will run on theme-based circuits.

• Through this scheme operators have the “Right of Use” of railway rakes and infrastructure. 

• Under this scheme, private players and tour operators can buy trains on lease from the Railways and operate them on any circuit of their choice and decide the fares, route and quality of services.

• Till now, railways used to operate the passenger section and goods section but now the tourism section has also been added under this scheme.

• The scheme has been developed after extensive discussions with several state governments including Odisha, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and stakeholders.