( RTDC appoints new Operations and Management (O&M) company for Palace on wheels, Bhagat Singh Lohagarh which focuses on Indian and NRI tourists, already 30% Indian Tourists travelled this year)
BY DEBAJYOTI CHAKRABORTY
KOLKATA |15 NOVEMBER 2025
Palace on Wheels, India’s rich heritage train, has been offering a whopping 25 % discount for a three to five day tour on the occasion of the first Pravasi Rajasthani Day to be held on 10 December this year to woo the vast over 30 lakhs expatriate Marwari population in the City of Joy. A booklet on Palace on Wheels were released at the Rajasthan Information Centre in Kolkata today.
Recently, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) has appointed Bhagat Singh Lohagarh company to oversee the Operations and Management (O&M) part of Palace on Wheels. The vision of Bhagat Singh Lohagarh, who runs the Lohagarh Fort Resort in Jaipur and is the Chairman cum Managing Director of Lohagarh Group of Companies of participation of more number of Indian toursists both within the country and also in abroad.
In an exclusive interview to The Travel and Tourism Times in Kolkata today, Mr. Shivram Jatoliya, Director of Palace on Wheels has said that working as per the vision and mission of the new Operations and management (O&M) company, Bhagat Singh Lohagarh now the focus has been shifted towards the Indian populations within the country and abroad. “ As a result earlier the entire passengers were from the top European or North American nations, but this year we have already achieved about 30 percent Indian passengers. We are participating in the travel and tourism fairs both in India and abroad , appointed influencers and popular youtubers,”he added.
Mr. Shivram Jatoliya further added that he has worked for about 35 years as General Manager ( operations) of the Palace on the Wheels, but after his retirement has joined as Director in the new avatar and has found tremendous enthusiasm about the award winning train ride of Rajasthan from both Indian tourists in India and Abroad.
“ I will be staying in USA from March 2026 for two months and will hold meetings at exhibitions for the largest and the second United Gujarati Conventions organized by the Federation of Gujarati Associations of USA.The purpose is to meet the Gujaratis across the world and let them know about this majestic train ride,”he added.
For the first time in the history, the Palace On Wheels have received a proposal just recently from a person in New Delhi for his son’s and daughter’s marriage ceremony . “ Talks are going on at present and his son and daughters are staying in the USA. But we are delighted after seeing such offers from our own country that the Palace on Wheels has now started opening new vistas of its business with the addition of the luxury wedding sector ,”he added.
The Managing Director (MD) of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), Smt. Rukmani Riar is also very much supportive in this transformation of the palace on Wheels and is providing all support.
For the occasion of the first Pravasi Rajasthani Day on 10 December 2025 the Palace on Wheels have eyed the whopping three million expatriate Marwari population residing in Kolkata. “ I have come here in Kolkata and will stay here for the next few days and will meet the various top Rajasthani people and the business class staying in Kolkata and will describe to them about our new offerings and special packages. Already on day one received an initial expression of interest from one of the top most Marwari business tycoon for a family trip next month. We can arrange special packages according to our needs. It will be a lifetime experience for everybody who will avail this opportunity. I can assure on behalf of our company that they will receive a grand reception at every station,”he added.
84 tourists can ride in the 22 coaches in the Palace on Wheels which have one Presidential suite, two super deluxe cabins, and 39 deluxe cabins. One General Manager will travel during the whole journey and there will be sixty staff including two butlers for each coach. Meals like Indian, Continental, Chinese and Rajasthani will be available throughout the journey and the facilities are as per five star deluxe categories, besides bars and several restaurants.
The Palace on Wheel operates 35 trips per season. On a typical seven day trip it covers New Delhi ( Day one), Jaipur ( Day two), Sawai Madhopur ( day three), Chittorgarh ( Day three), Udaipur ( Day four), Jaisalmer ( day five), Jodhpur ( day six), Bharatpur ( day seven) and Agra ( Day seven).
It also offers pick up and transfer of the passengers to the airport if sought.
The Palace on Wheels is a luxury heritage train in India, launched in 1982 as a joint initiative between Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and Indian Railways. It offers a 7-night, 8-day journey through Rajasthan and Agra, inspired by the royal coaches of former Indian princes. The train features opulent decor, gourmet dining, and a royal atmosphere, with each coach named after a princely state.
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