Rated the world’s most luxurious train, the Maharajas’ Express is now set to make its way through the Konkan Belt as per an announcement by the Union Railway Ministry of India which is currently in the process of shaping the supporting infrastructure. The luxury trains route will go through Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala, and according to a report by the Economic Times, Minister Suresh Prabhu stated that the line should be active by monsoon next year.

“There is ample scope for tourism in Goa and (the) Konkan belt. I have asked (the) Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) to introduce the world’s most expensive luxury train ‘Maharaja Express’ in southern India covering Goa, Maharashtra and Kerala,” stated the Minister at a function to lay the foundation stone for a upcoming railway crossing at Kharepatan, Maharashtra, via video conferencing.

“My plans are to see that by next year, the Maharaja Express train should make trips in Goa during the monsoon. Although the travel of Maharaja Express is very expensive but it will attract high-end tourists and generate revenue for the railways as well as the state,” stated Mr. Prabhu.

With five routes across India, the Maharajas’ Express generates large amounts of revenue from mostly international tourists visiting the country’s popular heritage and cultural sites, such as Varanasi, Agra, Khajuraho and Jaipur. Already being popular tourist destinations, the addition of Goa and Kerala is predicted by the Minister to provide even more employment opportunities and boost average income for all citizens of the state.

“Konkan railway is not only important for the belt but today it serves as important lifeline to the people of Goa, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala,” Mr Prabhu added. An estimated Rs. 150 crore will be spent on the development of the new railway routes through Goa, Konkan, Karnataka and Kerala with ten more railway stations to be added.