After a hiatus of nearly five years, the Deccan Odyssey train is set to resume operations on September 23 from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai. The train has undergone refurbishment during the Covid-19 pandemic and now boasts new features and routes.
According to Shraddha Joshi Sharma, the Managing Director of Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC), passengers can indulge in a luxurious seven-night journey on the Deccan Odyssey for a hefty price of Rs 6 lakh. The train consists of 21 coaches, with four deluxe cabins in 10 coaches and two presidential suites in the remaining two coaches. Each coach is equipped with intercom and Wi-Fi facilities, a music system, comfortable furniture, beds, and air conditioning.
The coaches of the Deccan Odyssey are designed to replicate the ambiance of a five-star hotel on wheels. They not only provide sleeping accommodations but also include a conference hall, dining room, health spa, bar, staff quarters, and storage rooms. The train can accommodate up to 90 passengers and 34 crew members.
Sharma highlighted some of the new features on the train, such as fire-resistant curtains and paints, as well as a comprehensive fire-fighting system. Additionally, the train has installed bio tanks to prevent toilet waste from flowing onto the tracks. The kitchens on board have also been upgraded with induction systems for cooking.
The Deccan Odyssey is one of the five royal trains in India, along with the Golden Chariot, Maharajas’ Express, Palace on Wheels, and Mahaparinirvan Express. In a bid to promote responsible tourism, Sharma revealed that the MTDC has sought permission to replace the current diesel engines with electric ones. Two new destinations, Delhi and Varanasi, have also been added to the train’s itinerary due to increased demand from tourists.
The MTDC has entrusted the operation of the Deccan Odyssey to a dedicated operator, who will oversee the project on a turnkey basis. The tours offered the train prioritize Maharashtra, with 40% of the journeys covering destinations in the state, followed premium tourist destinations across India.
The Deccan Odyssey, originally built in 2003 at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, was inaugurated former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2004. Its primary objective is to showcase the tourist destinations of Maharashtra to domestic and international travelers while promoting the state’s culture and art.
For the 2023-24 season, the Deccan Odyssey will offer various organized tours, including the Maharashtra Splendor tour from Mumbai to Nashik, Ellora Cave, Ajanta Caves, Kolhapur, Goa, Sindhudurg, and back to Mumbai. Other tours include Indian Sojourn, Indian Odyssey, Heritage Odyssey, Culture Odyssey, and Maharashtra Wild Trail.
Mayuresh Ganapatye is a News Editor at News18.com and specializes in political coverage and human interest stories. He has been diligently reporting on the developments of the Deccan Odyssey and the tourism industry in Maharashtra. To learn more about his work, you can visit his profile on News18.com.
As the Deccan Odyssey prepares to embark on its luxurious journey once again, passengers can look forward to a remarkable experience that blends the charm of train travel with the opulence of a five-star hotel.