Shunned by tourists, Maharashtra’s luxury train still waiting for a turnaround

When Maharashtra's Palace-on-Wheels rolled into Pune railway station one November day in 2005, the palatial, 21-coach Deccan Odyssey staffed by 50—including beauticians...

When Maharashtra’s Palace-on-Wheels rolled into Pune railway station one November day in 2005, the palatial, 21-coach Deccan Odyssey staffed by 50—including beauticians, health instructors, attendants and a chef— had just three guests on board.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC)’s brand ambassador and the state’s tourist attraction has been having trouble getting enough people to fill it ever since it was launched four years ago.

Last year, MTDC officials expected to break even but the Mumbai blasts in July led to cancellation of 30 per cent of the tickets. Only 813 passengers undertook the journey in 25 trips. The Odyssey, which makes 80 per trips, can cater to 80 passengers on each journey.

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When it started operations, the Odyssey had 412 passengers in 2004-05, that rose to 612 the next year. Passengers have to board the Odyssey every Wednesday from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST).

“If we carry 900 passengers during a year, it is a break even position. But for the blasts, it could have been achieved in 2006,” said chief project officer Vijay Chavan.

The MTDC has now pinned hopes on this year with 500 tickets already being booked. The Odyssey has advanced its run to September instead of October. “We have a group which will tour Maharashtra in September before proceeding to North India,” said Chavan.

To draw more foreigners, the MTDC has been participating in the World Trade Market (WTM) fairs for the last three years. “We want our packages to reach 150 countries that participate in the event. Moreover, we have appointed public relation agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and France,” Chavan explained.

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In addition, several tour operators have been appointed to sell the Deccan Odyssey tour in their India package for foreigners. “We give them a commission of around 17 per cent for booking our tickets,” Chavan said.

While it’s foreigners who opt for Deccan Odyssey, Chavan said some four to five NRIs travelled last year as well. Plans are to rope in domestic travellers with a three-day tour of Goa and Ajanta-Ellora.

“We have mooted small packages in the lean period between April and September. The package will cost less and may start from next year,” said Chavan.