Objective - To showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world, through Bharat Gaurav Trains (Theme- based Tourist Circuit trains).

Brief Scope of Policy Indian Railways aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector to run theme based trains to tap the vast tourist potential of India. Under this policy, registered Service Providers shall be offered rakes consisting of ICF coaches under “Right to Use” model by Indian Railways (IR) for operations of Bharat Gaurav Trains.

Service Providers shall also have the option of procurement of new coaches directly from production units through the NRC (Non Railway Customer) plan. The Service Provider shall have the flexibility to decide the business model including themes, routes, itinerary, tariff and other attributes connected with this model.

To promote and attract tourism business, the Indian Railways Tuesday launched Bharat Gaurav trains that will be operated by private players and run on theme-based circuits.

Through this policy, which offers operators the “Right of Use” of its rakes and infrastructure, the Railways has liberalised and simplified a part of operations that was otherwise carried out mostly by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). While any entity can run these trains, including state governments, it is implied that the policy is targeted at tour operators.

Private tour operators can now take trains on lease from the railways and run them on any circuit of their choice, with the freedom to decide routes, fares and quality of services under a new scheme called Bharat Gaurav

India’s first private train, under the Bharat Gaurav Scheme, began its journey from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu to Sainagar Shirdi in Maharashtra

These are service provider managed, theme based Tourist Circuit trains, to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical, natural scenic places to the people of India and the world. The Service Provider to offer a comprehensive package with facility of rail transportation, accommodation, meals, local sightseeing etc.

These trains originate from a particular station and run in a route having multiple tourist destinations and terminate at the same originating station. Service Provider shall ensure that tourists cover all the destinations of the particular circuit during their tour and board / deboard only at their designated boarding / deboarding stations.

For using Bharat Gaurav Trains, a prospective service provider has to first to create username and password for getting access to the Bharat Gaurav trains portal (https://bharatgauravtrains.indianrailways.gov.in/). Thereafter, he / she will have to register himself in the portal and thereafter place demand for rake of Bharat Gaurav Trains.

Any Individual, Partnership firm, Company, Society, Trust, Joint venture, Consortium with valid credentials can apply for registration after paying a non-refundable registration fee of Rs 1,00,000/- (one lakh only).

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 service provider can take custody of Bharat Gaurav trains for a minimum period of two (02) years and a maximum period up to the residual codal life of the coaches.

A service provider will have to take custody of full Bharat Gaurav Trains rake. The composition of the rake shall be a minimum of 14 coaches and a maximum of 20 coaches, including mandatory 2 SLRs (Guard Vans).

Can a service provider take custody of LHB, Vistadome, Vande Bharat etc rakes also under Bharat Gaurav Trains?

Initially an earmarked pool of Integral Coach Factory (ICF) coaches are to be utilized in Bharat Gaurat Trains in various categories viz AC-I, AC-II, AC-III, SL, AC Chair car (CC), Pantry and SLR (Guard Van). Later other categories of coaches will also be offered. In case any service provider wishes to take other types of coaches, then such coaches will be made available on receiving demand. The pricing for other coaches will be different from the pricing for the ICF coaches. The Service Providers can also procure new coaches or bare shells directly from Production Units of Indian Railways.

Yes, the nodal officer of the Zonal Railway where the Service Provider is registered will deal with all requests from the Service Provider, including movements of Bharat Gaurav Trains even if originating from other Zonal Railways. However, Empty haulage charges will be applicable for any empty run of the rake to accommodate the itinerary of the Service Provider. Such empty haulage charges shall exclude terminal charges and onboard staff costs. The details of the Empty haulage charges are available as Annexure - VI of Bharat Gaurav train policy which is uploaded at Bharat Gaurav trains portal (https://bharatgauravtrains.indianrailways.gov.in/).

The responsibility of maintenance of Bharat Gaurav Trains will rest with Zonal Railways. The maintenance schedule (POH/IOH) shall be intimated to the Service Provider in advance by the nodal Zonal Railway on an annual basis for facilitating the planning of the itineraries.

Branding of the train will be permitted. Naming rights for trains and display of the Service Provider's name are permitted. Third Party advertisement rights shall be permitted both inside and outside the train. However, the material used and contents/themes of advertisements should be in accordance with the specifications approved by Railways to ensure safety, aesthetics and cultural sensitivities and also following the Good Industry Practices.

The Service Providers shall be liable to ensure security of the Bharat Gaurav train rake during the period the rake is under the care and custody of the Service Provider for the RU period.

The Service Provider is allowed to use the luggage portion of the SLR for carrying the luggage of tourists or for their own use only, keeping in view the safety of train operation. Also, articles prohibited as per Railway’s notification should not be carried on these trains.