The Indian Railway is all set to usher in an era of luxurious train travel through public-private partnership. If all goes well, the first luxe-locomotive to chug out will be from the Oberoi Group of Hotels. The ministry has received a proposal from the hotel chain to own and run an eight-coach, 24-cabin luxury train in Rajasthan, through Agra and Delhi.

Speaking to The Indian Express, chairman of Oberoi Hotels P R S (Biki) Oberoi said, ‘‘Last week, we sent a proposal to the ministry presenting our project—the Oberois will own 52 per cent share and the other partners, Railway Ministry and Rajasthan Tourism, will own 24 per cent each. The proposed train will be called Oberoi Luxury on Wheels and will have our unmistakable stamp of luxury, sumptuousness and splendour. You can confidently leave that to us. There has been a great demand for luxe rail cruises and the Oberoi train will surpass all expectations.’’

The Great Train Rush is only going to get bigger. The Rajasthan Government-run Palace on Wheels is already booked up to 2009, and with a tourism explosion waiting to happen, the Oberois are ready to cash in on an emerging new trend.

Says P K Goel, executive director (Tourism and Catering) in the Railway Ministry, ‘‘We are always looking for such ideas and the Oberoi proposal is a first in this sector. We have no objections to anyone running such trains on the tourism sector.’’

He, however, says the terms of ownership will still have to be worked out. ‘‘The Oberoi proposal is only a draft, we will see how much investment is required and work out the modalities. I don’t think there will be much problem, but the Railways are in the business too.’’

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