Relevance: GS-3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment

Key Phrases: IRCTC, Bharat Gaurav Scheme, privatisation, South Star Rail, Right to use charges, theme-based circuit.

Context:

• Recently the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation’s (IRCTC) Bharat Gaurav tourist train embarked on the 18-day Shri Ramayana Yatra from New Delhi.
• IRCTC, a Mini Ratna Category-I Central PSU under the Ministry of Railways has inaugurated its first Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train.
• The train will cover approximately 8,000 kilometres between India and Nepal. It will run on the Ramayana circuit identified under Swadesh Darshan and visit places where Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lord Laxman set foot during their 14-year exile.

Bharat Gaurav Trains

• In November 2021 the Indian Railways allowed private players to run theme-based Bharat Gaurav trains to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and historical places to the people of India, and from abroad.
• The scheme will leverage the strengths of professionals in the tourism sector to run theme-based trains.
• This scheme also aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals in the tourism sector to run theme-based trains to tap the vast tourism potential of India.
• This Bharat Gaurav scheme will now help in roping in more tour operators with professional experience and will give a boost to the tourism sector in the country.
• At present, IRCTC is already running several tourist circuit trains on Railways. With the introduction of this policy, all tourist circuit trains shall be operated as per the guidelines issued under this policy.

How does it Work?

• Any operator can lease trains from Indian Railways to run on a theme-based circuit as a special tourism package.
• The operator has the freedom to decide the route, the halts, the services provided and most importantly the tariff.
• For using Bharat Gaurav Trains, a prospective service provider has to register to place the demand for rake of Bharat Gaurav trains.
• The service provider can take custody of the trains for a minimum period of two years and a maximum period up to the residual life of the coaches.
• The composition of the rake shall be a minimum of 14 coaches and a maximum of 20 coaches, including mandatory 2 SLRs (Guard Vans). The Railways will provide the loco and guard.

Why is the Scheme Significant?

• Private players to run special train: It allows private players with domain knowledge in the tourism sector to run these special trains.
• Incremental revenue: Railway will get incremental revenue from a new stream of business.
• Pave way for more privatisation: This could pave way for more privatisation moves in running of both cargo and passenger trains.

Role of Indian Railway:

• Provide staff: It will provide staff to drive the trains, guards and also maintenance staff on board for the coaches. Other staff, like housekeeping and catering, etc, will be deployed by the operator.
• Safety Assurance: It will also ensure that its entire infrastructure is in place to safely and efficiently host the train in its network.
• Give priority in its paths: It will also give priority in its paths, like the Rajdhani express and premium trains, so that these trains are not held up or sidelined to make way for regular trains.
• Mandatory insurance of the tourists shall be the liability of the service provider and the Railways shall bear no liability in this regard.
• All liability arising out of accident/untoward incident will be borne by the Indian Railways based on Accident Inquiry Report.

How will Indian Railways get Revenue?

• Under the Bharat Gaurav scheme, the Railways will get revenue in the form of
  • Right to use charges for the rakes;
  • haulage charges;
  • empty haulage charges and
  • stabling charges.
• The “Right to Use” use charge is an annual charge borne by the operator that must be paid 15 days before the end of the previous year.
• The charges range from Rs 3.5-1.4 lakh for AC coaches, Rs 1.8 lakh and Rs 96,000 for non-AC sleeper coaches, and Rs 2 lakh and Rs 65,000 for pantry cars.
• If the operators own or purchase their own coaches or cars, then the “Right of Use” charges no longer apply.

Other Related Scheme

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
  • Swadesh Darshan, a Central Sector Scheme, was launched in 2014 -15 for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
• PRASHAD Scheme:
  • The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive’ (PRASAD) was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of holistic development of identified pilgrimage destinations.
• Buddhist Conclave:
  • Buddhist Conclave is organised every alternate year with the objective of promoting India as a Buddhist Destination and major markets around the globe.
• Dekho Apna Desh’ Initiative:
  • It is an initiative to encourage the citizens to travel widely within the country and explore the wonders of India thus enabling the development of Domestic Tourism tourist facilities and infrastructure in tourism spots in the country.

Conclusion:

• Railways are always surrounded by so many challenges. Whether it is the safety of passengers or due to the loss.
• Privatisation has both positive and negative sides. Privatisation of railways is an ambitious goal and its mixed experience has been seen across the world.
• The Bharat Gaurav scheme is seen by some as a boon to the people who want to explore the country’s vast tourism places. However, some look at this scheme as a first major move to privatise the Railways, a view refuted by officials.

Source: The Hindu BL

Mains Question:

Q. What is Bharat Gaurav Scheme? Critically examine the significance of the scheme. (250 words).