Revisiting the Bharat Gaurav Train policy, the Indian Railways has decided to give more concessions on haulage charges and also allot Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches under the scheme to promote the rail-based tourism.

As per the earlier policy, only conventional coaches were allowed to be part of Bharat Gaurav Train service.

Since the earlier policy did not elicit the desired response, the Railways has decided to relook the issue, to give it a further push. Besides, the Railways has also decided to give more concessions on haulage charges to service providers for running Bharat Gaurav Trains.

In order to give a concerted thrust to efforts for promotion of rail-based tourism through provision of better quality coaches and viable tour packages, the Bharat Gaurav Train Scheme has been reviewed, the Railways maintained.

Henceforth, only LHB coaches will be allotted under the Bharat Gaurav Trains scheme, the Railways said in a statement.

In the interest of promotion of rail tourism and viability of the product, the Railways has decided not to levy the overhead components in the Fixed and Variable Haulage Charges for operation of Bharat Gaurav Trains under the scheme.

This would entail approximately 33 per cent concession by Indian Railways for promotion of rail tourism under Bharat Gaurav Trains Scheme.

The existing service providers, who have already been allotted Integral Coach Factory (ICF) made conventional rakes, under the framework of Bharat Gaurav Trains Policy would be given the option to switch over to LHB rakes for the remaining period of agreement on the revised charges.

However, if they opt to continue with already allotted rakes, the benefit of revised charges would be available with prospective effect.