Private players can buy coaches soon, run tourist circuit trains – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Soon interested parties can take coaches on lease or even purchase them from Indian Railways to run them as theme-based cultural, religious or circuit trains. The railway ministry has set up a committee to frame the policy to promote rail-based tourism.
Sources said more than 90% stakeholders who recently participated in a meeting called by Indian Railways were keen to operate such trains on the ‘Gurdwara Circuit’ for Sikh devotees. The Gurdwara Circuit may include Harminder Sahib in Amritsar, Gurdwara Damdama Sahib in Delhi, Gurdwara Huzur Sahib in Nanded and Gurdwara Patna Sahib in Patna.
In 2020, PM Modi had suggested Railways run special trains between Amritsar and Patna Sahib, the two prominent Sikh pilgrimage centres in the country. The railway ministry said the leasing of coaches, both fully-furnished and bare shells, will be for a minimum of five years, extendable till the maximum service life of the coaches. It said Railways will levy haulage, nominal stabling and lease charges.