Inaugurating the online ticket reservation facility for the luxury train at the Yashwanthpur railway station here, the chief minister, reacting to a news report that appeared in Deccan Herald where a marketing partner of KSTDC has applied for a patent for ‘Golden Chariot’ in the United States, Yeddyurappa said, “The copyright of the ‘Golden Chariot’, which has put Karnataka Tourism on the international map, should rest with the KSTDC.

Marketing initiatives such as launch of a online reservation facility are essential to make the train, one of the most coveted train journeys in the world,” he observed.

Mr Yeddyurappa said that to boost tourism airports would be constructed in 12 districts in the state for  connectivity to and from Bangalore.

The chief minister said the Railways should consider a reduction in the high maintenance tax levied on the Golden Chariot which is far too high. To attract more tourists to the train, the tax must come down, he added.

Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure, Janardhana Reddy, who launched the trade policy document of the Golden Chariot said though funds for the luxury train in the niche traveller segment was sanctioned ten years ago, with equity participation of Rs 16 crore each from the centre and the state, it has taken shape recently. “Running costs of the train are also turning out to be exhorbitant,” he said.

The KSTDC has empanelled six general sales agents (GSA) for marketing of the train in international markets. The policy document outlines the roles, responsibilities and marketing initiatives of the trade partners, include the online reservation system. The train that has so far chartered over five journeys is scheduled to make the next tour on July 28. For details log-on to www.thegoldenchariot.co.in or www.goldenchariot.org

Rs 23 lakh

Mr Janardhana Reddy said the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corportaion (KSTDC), that currently pays a whopping Rs 23 lakh to the Indian Railways as haulage charges for utilising its facilities for the ‘Golden Chariot’ must be reduced.

Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the ‘Golden Chariot’ centre at the KSTDC ‘Tourism House’ on St Marks Road here, Reddy said the exhorbitant charges should be reviewed in the interest of promoting the luxury train. Later, Vinay Luthra the managing director of KSTDC said the worldwide marketing partner of the Golden Chariot has agreed in principle to transfer the patent/trademark rights of the train to KSTDC.