On Friday, the inaugural heritage train started from Marwar Junction to Kamli Ghat in Rajsamand district, marking the first of its kind in the state. Surprisingly, only four passengers embarked on this maiden voyage. With a generous seating capacity of 60 passengers, the train remained largely empty, with a staggering 56 vacant seats. Notably, the train will not be in operation over the upcoming weekend due to a lack of bookings. Looking ahead to Monday, as of Friday night, only two bookings have been secured. However, the heritage train is fully booked for a group excursion scheduled for October 14, 2023. 

Timings and facilities

This train is scheduled to leave Marwar Junction at 8:30 in the morning. It will travel through Fulad and Goram Ghat, arriving at Kamli Ghat by 11:00 AM. After a pause of approximately three hours, it will resume its journey at 2:30 in the afternoon and complete its return to Marwar Junction by 5:00 PM. Notably, this train will comprise two Vista Dome coaches.

These seats have the capability to rotate up to 360 degrees. The train offers individual bookings on four specific days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a fare of Rs.1900. However, on Saturdays and Sundays, the train accommodates group bookings exclusively, with groups consisting of either 30 or 60 individuals. The fare for a group of 60 passengers is Rs. 92,200. Meals are not included in the ticket price, but arrangements for meals can be arranged at Kamli Ghat upon passenger request, subject to an additional charge. Please note that this train does not operate on Wednesdays.

Vivek Ravat, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Ajmer Rail Division, has highlighted the insufficient promotion and publicity efforts for the heritage train as a key reason for its low passenger numbers. To address this issue, the railway administration is currently exploring various measures to enhance promotion. Additionally, with the tourist season underway, it is anticipated that there will be a surge in foreign tourist arrivals in and around Udaipur after October 15th. This expected influx of tourists is likely to contribute to increased passenger numbers, and consequently, improved patronage is on the horizon.

Despite the eager anticipation of this train for the past three months, the entire monsoon season has come and gone in the meantime. According to experts, the track on which this train operates witnesses the highest rainfall during the monsoon season.