World’s most expensive luxury train to touch Goa

 “There is ample scope for tourism in Goa and the Konkan belt. I have asked the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) to introduce world’s most expensive luxury train ‘Maharaja Express’ in southern India covering Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala,” he said. The minister said plans are to make sure that by next year, ‘Maharaja Express’ which has won several awards for four consecutive years as the world’s best luxury train, should make trips in Goa during the monsoon season. Chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar, Deputy CM Francis D’Souza, speaker of Goa assembly Anant Shet, minister of science & technology Alina Saldanha and Panaji MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar were also present on the occasion.

The proposed station at Kharepatan assumes significance for the entire Konkan region, including Goa, as it will improve connectivity. Prabhu said, “Kharepatan is a station connecting Ratnagiri to Sindhudurg district. Residents of over 70 villages in surrounding areas will benefit from the station. We are spending nearly Rs 15 crore for the same” Prabhu also informed that Konkan Railways will set up 10 additional railway stations for which Rs 150 crores will be spent. 

Speaking on the occasion, Parsekar said, “The track from Karwar to Pernem is a single track. Meanwhile, traffic has increased on roads leading to congestion. If double tracking is taken as priority, road congestion will reduce. There is enough land in possession with Konkan Railways. If we manage to do this, major congestion in development will be resolved”