Heritage train robbed at yard

The expensive linen on Maharashtra’s own Palace on Wheels was robbed on Sunday night. The glass panes of the door of Ratnagiri coach, which cannot be easily tampered with, were broken and the pricey material robbed from the train. However, the exact amount of loss has not been ascertained.

The Rs32-crore dream train stands non-operational in the Wadi Bunder yard of the Central Railway. While the responsibility of the train’s security is equally shared between both the stakeholders — Indian Railways and the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation — the train was left without attention on Sunday night.

A tourist attraction, especially for the foreign tourists, this luxury train is housed at Wadi Bunder during the four monsoon months when it is not operational. Reflecting a perfect blend of Indian royalty, the trains boasts facilities which include an on board cd mp33 player, wall-to-wall carpeting, a health spa, a bar, conference equipment, etc. The Also known for its “awesome cuisine and state-of-the-art facilities, the Deccan Odyssey with its plush interiors transports tourists on a remarkable sojourn of lands shining in legions grandeur.

“Of the 21 coaches, 13 are passenger cars which are named after some of the best places in Maharashtra. The coach that was robbed was Ratnagiri coach and being a passenger car not much was robbed from here,” said Bhushan Gagrani, managing director of MTDC. He said, “However, the expensive linen was robbed.”

When asked about the amount of loss Gagrani said, “At this point it is difficult to calculate the actual amount of loss. However, as a precautionary measure we take all the expensive furniture and other accessories in our possession when the train is taken for a compulsory overhaul during monsoon.”

Surprisingly being the most prestigious venture of the Railways authorities from the Central Railway were unaware about any such incident. BS Siddhu, Inspector General of Railway Protection Force said, “I have no information in this regard.”

When asked who was responsible for the train’s security, Gagrani said, “Being a joint venture both are equally responsible. However, since the train is currently stationed in the railway premise the Railways should have been move vigilant.”

MTDC officials also pointed out that they had undertaken maintenance and painting of the train for the first time since it was rolled out. “We have undertaken painting to the train. Being a tourist attraction we cannot change even a single shade of the colour. At the yard, the work is being undertaken under MTDC’s supervision. However, during night MTDC would not have any control over the security of the train,” Gagrani added.