Related facilities in the NMR to promote heritage train tourism in the NMR, a world heritage site
Nilgiri Mountain Railway. (Photo: makemytrip.com)
Ooty: The Heritage Steam Chariot Trust (HSCT), an organization of Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) afficionados, has appealed for the introduction of a footplate journey and related facilities in the NMR to promote heritage train tourism in the NMR, a world heritage site.
This suggestion along with other related issues was put forth at the Indian Steam Railway Congress held in New Delhi recently, by Mr K Natarajan, founder-president of the HSCT.
“Footplate journey in steam locomotives is quite common in foreign countries. Tourists and other interested persons can enjoy a ride and have a train driving experience in the loco-cabin along with expert loco operators to experience and enjoy the feel of steam locomotive operation. A footplate run can be done with one coal engine and one open wagon in the railway station yard in Ooty. By charging Rs 1000 per person for four persons in the loco and Rs 50 per person for 50 persons in the wagon for a trip in the footplate journey, the Railways can earn Rs 6,500. By operating five such trips in a day, revenue will be around Rs 32,500. If 200 such trips are done in a year the NMR can earn a revenue of upto Rs 65 lakh a year,” he added.
This apart, converting the abandoned railway quarters along the NMR into tourist cottages and establishing a Rail Museum in Ooty railway station would bring more tourists to the NMR sector, he said.
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( Source : deccan chronicle )
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