Vajpayee to flag off 'Deccan Odyssey'

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will arrive in Mumbai on January 16 to flag off Maharashtra's own luxury train, the 'Deccan Odyssey', at the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway terminus (CST).

If the Orient Express did Europe proud and the 'Palace on Wheels' lured tourists to the luxury of the maharajas in Rajasthan, Deccan Odyssey aims to mesmerise its passengers with a unique Maharashtra experience in the land of the Maratha kingdom.

The 21-coach train, which is a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and Indian Railways, will transport its guests to the hidden treasures of the state – to its ancient forts, scenic beaches, unique art and heritage.

The Maharashtra Tourism Development has put together a seven-day package that will take tourists first through the Konkan belt with an overnight stay at Ratnagiri, a visit to Ganpatipule and the Thiba palace, the residence of the exiled Burmese king.

The next day would be at the Tarkarli beaches of Sindhudurg and then to Goa.

The train will then move on to Pune, the cultural capital of the state and then to Aurangabad for visits to the famous Ajanta and Ellora caves and the 'Bibi Ka Maqbara'.

The five-star luxury train has been built by the Integral Coach Factory in Perambur, Chennai.

The train is air-conditioned with a conference car, two restaurants and a health car with a gym, beauty salon, yoga centre with space for ayurvedic treatment and massage.

Facilities for net surfing, mobile phone connectivity and television are available in all the cabins.

The ticket for the week-long journey will cost Rs 122,000 and is meant for high-end travelers who come on package tours to India and normally stay in five-star hotels.