Indian hydrogen trains: Railway explores new routes to expand service to Delhi

The opportunity to experience luxury travel on the move is presented: 24-hour butler service, hotel-level suites, magnificent restaurants, and views of the vast Saudi Arabian desert right from the train window. Saudi Arabia is preparing to offer a similar royal experience. The country's first ultra-luxury train, named 'Desert Dream,' is intended to provide passengers not just transportation from one point to another, but a complete elite travel experience. One night of such a journey will cost a huge amount, in exchange for a moving palace.

Saudi Arabia's new luxury train, 'Desert Dream,' attracts attention due to a number of features. Instead of ordinary seats or carriages, it will feature hotel-level suites, round-the-clock butler service, exquisite restaurants, and lounge areas. Notably, all these amenities will be accompanied by travel through the vast desert and historical regions of Saudi Arabia. This is why the ticket prices are significantly higher than those of ordinary trains.

According to reports, the initial price for one compartment is about 30,000 Saudi riyals, equivalent to approximately 30,000 dirhams per night. In Indian rupees, this amount is estimated at approximately 6.5–7 lakh rupees per night. The official website of 'Desert Dream' emphasizes that the train's specialty is not only its external splendor. Passengers are provided with luxurious suites, exquisite cuisine, lounge areas, live entertainment, and personal butlers. Furthermore, picturesque views of the desert and historical sites of Saudi Arabia open up from the train windows. Thus, the journey here is not just about reaching a destination, but a comprehensive experience of enjoying luxury in motion with a close acquaintance with the desert.

Reiterating the pricing issue, it is reported that the starting price for one compartment reaches 30,000 Saudi riyals, corresponding to approximately 30,000 dirhams per night, or about 6.5–7 lakh Indian rupees per night. This level of pricing indicates that 'Desert Dream' is positioned not as an ordinary railway trip, but as an exceptionally special experience of elite tourism.

'Desert Dream' is designed not as a standard passenger train. It will consist of 12 carriages, housing 34 passenger suites. The train can carry about 72 people simultaneously, ensuring no large crowds. The focus is on comfortable and private travel with a small number of passengers, aiming to create an impression comparable to staying in a five-star hotel.

The main highlight of this train will be the route itself. The train will allow passengers to view the desert and natural landscapes of the country up close, passing through various regions of Saudi Arabia. The train route will start in Riyadh and move in a northern direction, including locations such as Hail and Al-Quraiyat. Thus, the trip becomes not just a means of transport, but a self-sufficient tourist adventure.

According to information from the official website of 'Desert Dream,' the train is being developed so that passengers can feel the atmosphere of a premium hotel inside the carriage. It will feature luxurious suites, comfortable seating and sleeping areas, and high-class amenities for guests. The train's design aims to combine both Saudi Arabian culture and modern luxury. That is, the exterior will have a traditional desert look, while the interior will have ultra-modern amenities.

The Ministry of Railways has positively responded to the proposal for launching a new Vande Bharat express that will connect Tirupati and Shivamogga Town via Bangalore, covering a distance of 545 kilometers in a few hours. Although final approval and the start date for the train have not yet been announced, this new service is expected to benefit passengers traveling between Tirupati and Bangalore.

The initiative on this matter was put forward by the Tirupati MLA Maddila Gurumurthy. He sent a letter to the Chairman and Managing Director of the railway board demanding infrastructure improvements at the Tirupati railway station. Furthermore, he raised the issue of the need to launch new Vande Bharat services for Tirupati, given the growing number of pilgrims.

In response to the MLA's request, the railway board stated that the project to launch the Vande Bharat train from Tirupati to Shivamogga Town has been prepared. It is planned that this route will be served via Bangalore. The MLA viewed the response received from the railways as a positive step.

Tirupati is one of the country's major religious centers, attracting a large number of pilgrims. Due to the increasing flow of passengers, there is a constant demand for expanding station capabilities and introducing faster and more modern railway services. It is precisely with this in mind that the proposal for the Vande Bharat service connecting Tirupati with Shivamogga and Bangalore arose.

The proposed Vande Bharat service is expected to provide improved transport accessibility for people traveling between Tirupati and Bangalore. According to MLA Maddila Gurumurthy, the benefits will accrue not only to pilgrims but also to people traveling between these cities for educational, medical, and other urgent needs.

Currently, this service is at the proposal stage, and although the railway board has given a positive response, official information regarding final approval or the schedule for the train's operation is still unavailable. Therefore, passengers will have to wait for an announcement of the start date and the final route. In the near future, it is expected that the railway board will clarify the further process for the proposal, final approval, and operating schedule.