Special train coaches to be dedicated for tourists

Two coaches in every special train passing through 25 railway stations most frequented by domestic as well as foreign tourists may get improved and special facilities.
These 25 stations, to be named 'Adarsh Railway Stations', will have a tourism help desk, special toilets, rest rooms, besides having the guide facilities, a source said.
A team of officials from Tourism and Railways Ministries will be formed who would identify in two months 25 railway stations which are most frequented by tourists, the source said.
It was discussed during a meeting between Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma and Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu in the presence of other senior officials here today.

Police personnel who are trained for managing the tourists grievances and volunteers from NCC and NSS will also be deployed at these stations.
Two coaches, specially dedicated to domestic and foreign tourists, in the special trains which pass through these Adarsh Railway stations are also being considered, the source said.

These coaches, which would be coloured differently, will have special fares, facilities as well as reservation criteria, he added.
The team would also come up with solutions for ferrying the tourists from these railway stations to tourist destinations.
Railway station at Delhi, Agra, Amritsar, Guwahati, Puri and Varanasi may find the place in the list of 25 Adarsh Railway stations, according to the source.

During the meeting, it was also decided to make a provision for group booking customers to get seats in a same coach, the source said.