Latest news with #MaharajaExpress
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Maharana Pratap tourist circuit to be finalised soon: Diya Kumari
Jaipur: The plan for the Maharana Pratap tourist circuit will be finalised soon by incorporating suggestions given by representatives of various sections of society and citizens, deputy CM and tourism minister Diya Kumari said during her visit to Kumbhalgarh Monday. In the 2025-26 state Budget, the govt announced Rs 100 crore to build the circuit, which would cover eight destinations, including Udaipur, Chawand, Chittorgarh, Gogunda, Haldighati, Kumbhalgarh, Dewair, and Chhapli. Kumari said she also discussed possibilities of running a train on the lines of Palace on Wheels and Maharaja Express between various places related to the life of Maharana Pratap. Nathdwara MLA Vishwaraj Singh Mewar said that while working on the Maharana Pratap tourist circuit, it should be kept in mind that the focus should not be only on tourism. "Various aspects of Maharana Pratap's life should also be kept in mind with full seriousness and a balance should be made," he said. The consultant for the project gave a presentation of the proposed development works in various places related to the life of Maharana Pratap, Kumari said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
India.com
28-06-2025
- India.com
This is India's most expensive train with luxuries like 7-star hotel, its fare starts from Rs..., facilities are...
New Delhi: Train travel in India has its own fun. Usually, people consider trains to be a cheap and comfortable journey. But do you know that there is a train in India, in which traveling is no less than staying in a luxury hotel. The name of this train is 'Maharaja Express'. It is not just a train, but a moving five-star hotel. Which is India's most expensive train? Maharaja Express is considered to be India's most expensive and luxury train. This train was started in 2010 by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Its purpose was to give a special experience to foreign tourists and those who dream of living a royal life in India. What are its features? Looking at the interior of Maharaja Express, it feels as if you are traveling in the palace of a king. It has facilities like royal suites, deluxe cabins, special dining car, and bar car. Every cabin has facilities like private bathroom, LCD TV, internet connection, and personal attendant. What is the schedule of this train? The Maharaja Express runs on many different routes. Its main routes include 'Heritage of India', 'Indian Splendor', and 'Treasure of India'. During the journey, this train passes through historical and tourist places like Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Varanasi and Mumbai. Passengers are given a royal welcome everywhere and get a chance to enjoy guided tours, royal banquets, and cultural programmes. How much is the fare? The fare for one person in Maharaja Express starts from Rs 3 lakh and can go up to Rs 19 lakh. This fare is decided according to the travel package, cabin type, and days of travel. The most expensive package is of 'Presidential Suite', in which passengers are given a completely royal experience. Why is it so special? Maharaja Express has received many international awards like Asia's Leading Luxury Train and World's Leading Luxury Train. Its service, facilities and royal experience make it different from the rest.
Mint
05-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
IRCTC's Ebitda growth rate mirrors pace of a slow-moving train
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp. Ltd (IRCTC)'s results for the three months ended March (Q4FY25) proved unimpressive versus expectations of a solid quarter due to the Mahakumbh event-related push. Ebitda growth was 6% year-on-year to ₹385 crore, with margin compressing by almost 100 basis points to 30.4%. A basis point is one-hundredth of a percentage point. Recall that IRCTC had offered food service in Aastha Express to Ayodhya in Q4FY24 during the consecration ceremony of the Ram temple. Thus, there was hope that it would be done for Mahakumbh special trains, too. In the Q4FY25 earnings call, the management clarified that these trains operated without catering facilities because the government's aim was to accommodate more passengers to Mahakumbh and also clear the subsequent rush from there. The outcome: IRCTC's catering revenue was unchanged year-on-year at ₹529 crore. The segment's profitability improvement isn't impressive either, as the base quarter had an abnormally low margin. Sequentially, the margin was flat at 12%. Also Read: KEC is making amends to repair margin, allay debt concerns IRCTC's mainstay business remains internet ticketing, contributing about 75% of its total FY25 Ebit. The segment has two revenue streams of convenience fee (simply put, the online ticket booking charges) and non-convenience fee from advertising and ancillary services for buying food, travel insurance, etc. Convenience fee grew 9% year-on-year as online ticket booking volume increased by 10%. While volume growth is not a problem, the concern here is about the 7% quarter-on-quarter fall in average fee per ticket to ₹18.6. The fee is different for AC and non-AC ticket booking, and also for booking payments made using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) or other modes that include netbanking and cards. The share of UPI-based payments has been steadily climbing up, from 45% in Q1FY25 to 47.7% in Q4FY25, which puts pressure on the average fee per ticket as the convenience fee is lower on payments made using UPI. Bright spot The tourism segment was the only bright spot in the results, which essentially is a packaged tour business offering options for religious and luxurious tours. Tourism Ebit soared by 161% on-year to ₹50 crore with margin almost doubling to 18.1% in Q4FY25. Bharat Gaurav train and Maharaja Express have contributed to the growth. Also Read: PMI: India's services exports bump may lose steam amid global economic gloom For FY25, the two trains clocked revenue of ₹277 crore and ₹92 crore, respectively. While Bharat Gaurav's revenue is higher, its margin is lower at 8% versus 18% of Maharaja Express, as the former operates in the affordable segment and the latter in the luxurious travel category. The management is optimistic that the tourism segment will maintain its upward trajectory, but the segment's past performance has been volatile. Meanwhile, IRCTC is likely to get initial approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for a payment aggregation license within the next couple of months. However, even after the business starts, it would be tough to make inroads given the wafer-thin margin. The space is already crowded with well-entrenched players such as PhonePe and Razorpay. High valuation As such, the new business initiative is unlikely to change the trajectory of the stock, which is down 15% over the past one year even as the Ebitda CAGR over the last two years to FY25 has been 10%. The decline in the stock is thus indicative of the correction in its rich valuation. Ebitda is short for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation. Also Read: Ola Electric's new breakeven targets appear more like wishful thinking Bloomberg consensus estimates show Ebitda growth in FY26 could go up to 18%, which appears a tad optimistic. The decline in stock price pushes the enterprise value (EV) (numerator in EV/Ebitda) lower, while optimistic Ebitda estimates push the denominator higher. Despite that, the valuation still remains expensive at EV/Ebitda of 33x based on Bloomberg consensus estimates for FY26.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Time of India
Idgah Agra junction to replace Agra Fort as stop for 12 trains
Agra: Around 12 pairs of trains will now stop at Idgah Agra Junction instead of their earlier halt at Agra Fort Station, said Agra Division, days after its redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. According to a statement from the Agra Division, the following trains will now halt at Idgah Agra Junction: (12307/12308) Howrah Junction – Jodhpur / Jodhpur – Howrah Junction Superfast Express, (22307/22308) Howrah Junction – Bikaner Junction / Bikaner – Howrah Junction Express, (15269/15270) Muzaffarpur Junction – Sabarmati Junction / Sabarmati – Muzaffarpur Junction, (12946/12945) Banaras Junction – Veraval Junction / Veraval – Banaras Junction, (12395/12396) Rajendra Nagar Terminal – Ajmer Junction / Ajmer – Rajendra Nagar Terminal, (22970/22969) Banaras Junction – Okha / Okha – Banaras Junction, (12948/12947) Patna Junction – Ahmedabad / Ahmedabad – Patna Junction, (12942/12941) Asansol – Bhavnagar Terminus / Bhavnagar Terminus – Asansol, (15636/15635) Guwahati – Okha / Okha – Guwahati, (15668/15667) Kamakhya Junction – Gandhidham Junction / Gandhidham – Kamakhya Junction, (12938/12937) Howrah Junction – Gandhidham Junction / Gandhidham – Howrah Junction, (12315/12316) Kolkata – Udaipur / Udaipur – Kolkata. Nine of these trains operate via Prayagraj Junction. Agra Division PRO Prashasti Srivastava said, "Currently, 20 express and passenger trains stop at Idgah Agra Railway Station. With this move, 12 more pairs are being added. We are also developing Idgah Station with additional amenities such as a washing pit, so that trains can originate from this station. Luxury trains like the Palace on Wheels and Maharaja Express also halt here. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Rugas no pescoço? Esse truque caseiro pode ajudar (Tente isso hoje à noite) Revista & Saúde Saiba Mais Undo In the future, Idgah Station is expected to serve as a central station in the city. " Located near the Agra collectorate area, Idgah Station is considered more accessible than Agra Fort Station, especially in terms of connectivity and parking. Shuvam Bajapayee, a resident, told TOI, "This is a welcome move. Idgah Station has ample parking space and is easily accessible. I hope it will soon be equipped with escalators and lifts, like Agra Fort and Agra Cantt Stations, to make movement between platforms easier. The authorities must also address the issue of unauthorised money collection at stations, which is a common concern for passengers." On May 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the renovated Idgah Agra Junction, unveiling development projects worth Rs 12.8 crore. The upgrades include expansion and modernisation of the main and secondary station buildings, construction of a new foot overbridge, improved toilet facilities, divyangjan (differently-abled) parking, and installation of digital signage systems.
