Palace on Wheels opened to private players

Earlier this week, the Government invited applications from leading five-star chains for the maintenance and management of the train. The hoteliers have been given a fortnight to make their presentations, following which the Government would select the successful bidder.

Although many agree that the train, considered among the top 10 luxury trains in the world, would benefit from privatisation, the haste with which the Government has decided to go ahead with the process has drawn flak.

‘‘The entire exercise is a sham. The Government has already decided to hand it over to a Delhi-based five-star chain,’’ leader of the RTDC employees’ union Tej Singh Rathore said.

Interestingly, the decision to privatise the train came as a surprise even to the RTDC managing board, which takes all important decisions about the train in consultation with its project partner, the Indian Railways.

The permission of the board was taken three days after an advertisement inviting potential bidders was issued by the Rajasthan Government.

Unaware of the Government’s plan, the RTDC had rolled out its plan for the coming tourist season and hired a consultant to refurbish the train. The plans had to be hastily withdrawn.

The Government has justified the move. ‘‘There have been too many complaints about the current management and the RTDC staff,’’ official sources said. ‘‘This is not privatisation. We are merely outsourcing some of the activities of the train to a five-star chain. It will help us attract more tourists,’’ official sources said.

Congress MLA Sanyam Lodha questioned the logic. ‘‘The train is completely booked till 2007. How will privatization of the train at this stage help the Government?’’ he wondered.