Deccan Odyssey Train 2.0 available for tourists
Mumbai : The main objective of the luxurious and comfortable train is to introduce domestic and foreign tourists to tourist spots of the state. With the Deccan Odyssey train 2.0 coming in a new look there will be a substantial increase in domestic and international standard tourism, said State Tourism Minister Girish Mahajan.
Tourism Minister Mahajan and Speaker of the Assembly Adv. Rahul Narvekar today launched the Deccan Odyssey Train 2.0 from Platform No. 18 of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus today. The train was launched by the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
In its maiden run, the train traveled between CSMT to Thane and Panvel and back to CSMT.On this occasion Principal Secretary of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department Radhika Rastogi, Director General of Information and Public Relations Directorate Jayashree Bhoj, Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Shraddha Joshi, Tourism Director Dr. B. N. Patil, General Manager Chandrashekhar Jayaswal and officers of Indian Railway were present.
Tourism Minister Mahajan said that facilities and services of international standard are provided in this train. Deccan Odyssey is an Ultra Luxury Train and has the distinction of being the most luxurious train not only in the state but also in the entire country. Foreign tourists will experience staying in a five-star hotel while traveling on this train besides being able to see and enjoy the visits to tourist spots in the state. Various changes have been effected in the old train. Now this train will have 21 coaches, 40 delux suits, and two Presidential suits. Besides, there is one Conference Hall. Apart from this facilities like a Health Spa, Generator Van, Gym, Cable TV, Internet, Library and Music Player are available on this train.
Boost to tourism development- Speaker Adv. Rahul Narvekar
Speaker of the state legislative assembly Adv. Rahul Narvekar said that with the launching of one of the famous trains in the country, the tourism development in the state will get a much-needed boost. Very talked about among the foreign tourists and domestic tourists waiting eagerly for this Deccan Odyssey train will run in its new form. This is certainly a happening to be proud of and feel happy. Tourists should take advantage of this train and enjoy happiness.
The train that gives a new identity to Maharashtra on a tourist map
After gaining approval from the central and state governments, the Deccan Odyssey luxury train was made in the Chennai railway coach factory in 2003. It was formally inaugurated in 2004 with the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee flagging it off. Between 2004 and 2020 the train evoked very good and encouraging responses from the tourists. However, during the 2020-21 Covid pandemic, the services of this train were suspended. Now the tourism sector has made a comeback and the Tourism Corporation is all prepared to launch the services of the Deccan Odyssey luxury train with the latest facilities through the appointed operator from September 21, 2023. The renewed Deccan Odyssey tourist package will include tourist spots in other states besides those in Maharashtra.
Planning of Tourism Packages for 2023-24
Maharashtra Splendor:- Mumbai (CSMT)-Nasik Road-Aurangabad-Pachora-Kolhapur- Margao (Goa)- Sawantwadi.
Indian Sojourn: Mumbai (CSMT)-Vadodara-Udaypur-Jodhpur-Jaipur-Agra-Sawai Madhopur-New Delhi
Heritage Odyssey:- Delhi-Agra-Sawai Madhopur-Udaypur-Jodhpur-Jaiselmer-Jaipur-New Delhi
Cultural Odyssey:- Delhi- Sawai Madhopur-Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi-Khajuraho-Varanasi-New Delhi
Maharashtra Wild Train:- Mumbai (CSMT)-Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar-Ramtek-Warora-Pachora-Nasik Road-Mumbai (CSMT)
Darjeeling Mail:- Mumbai (CSMT)-Vadodara-Udaypur-Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur-Agra-Benaras-Siliguri
Darjeeling Mail Return:- Siliguri-Benaras-Agra-Sawai Madhopur-Jaipur-Udaypur-Vadodara-Mumbai (CSMT)
Deccan Odyssey train bags many awards:
The Deccan Odyssey train has bagged many prestigious awards including the Leading Luxury Train Award of World Travel Awards for Asia in 2014; best luxury train of India award of North India Travel Awards in 2015; World Travel Awards –Asia’s Leading Luxury Train Award in 2016; TTJ Jury Choice Award 2016; Excellence in innovations award 2017; Asia’s leading luxury train award of World Travel Awards in 2017; organized by Lonely Planet Travel and Life Style Award for best traveler experience.
Facilities in new train
To provide the tourists with an experience of royal travel consistent with the glorious tradition of Maharashtra various facilities like an intercom, music system, high-quality furniture, air-conditioning system, etc. are made available in the Deccan Odyssey train. There will be 21 coaches attached to this train with 4 deluxe cabins each in 10 cars. In the other two passenger cars, there are two presidential suits. Out of the remaining 9 coaches, one will have a conference hall, and dining hall in two coaches, one coach for a health spa, 1 coach for the bar, 2 coaches for employees and staff, and the remaining two will have the generator car and luggage coaches. With these facilities, this train will be more like a five-star hotel on wheels and not just a luxurious train.
To make the travel comfortable each coach is fitted with a fire fighting machine. The pantry car is fitted with an induction instead of an LPG cylinder. A paint coat is given on the rooftop to have a better AC experience. Replacing the old conventional trolleys of 2017-18, new air suspension trolleys have been fitted. This has made the traveling comfortable as compared to that of the old trolleys.
Gangways of the coaches have been replaced to make going to other coaches easy and hassle free. The flooring of all the coaches has been changed. A special kind of chemical is used for the curtains and bio toilets have been fitted in all the washrooms. All these arrangements are certified by Railway’s Lucknow-based Designs and Standards Organization.
