Indian Railways goofs up on India map on ad for luxury train

20 Mar 2010

Even as railways minister Mamata Banerjee flagged off another prestigious 'palace on wheels', the Maharajas Express, from Kolkata on Saturday, a major blooper was noticed in a print advertisement for the new luxury train.

The map of India on the inauguration ad for the new train shows Delhi in Pakistan, and Kolkata somewhere outside borders in the sea, as NDTV has pointed out. Amusingly, the ad's tagline says the travel experience will ''show you an India like never before''!
Indian Railways has apologised for the mistake and blacklisted thje agency.

The Maharajas Express, a joint venture between Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and travel agency Cox and Kings India Ltd, will cover Gaya, Varanasi, Bandhavgarh, Khajuraho, Gwalior and Agra on its six day and seven night journey ending at Delhi.

The train will carry 88 passengers. The minimum tariff is $800 (Rs36,328) per person per day. The higher category of cabins are priced at $900 and $1,400, while the Presidential Suite is priced at $2,500 (Rs1,13,525).

Each cabin is equipped with large panoramic windows, individual temperature control, an LCD television, a DVD player, direct dial telephones, internet and an electronic safe-deposit box.

According to an IRCTC official, the initial runs will be familiarisation trips for tour operators.