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Transport Info
Bus, anyone?
India's leading tour operator is determined to rule the road
Mumbai based Shree Raj Travels and Tours has entered into
an exclusive partnership with Gray Line Worldwide, the world's
largest sightseeing company. The arrangement allows the tour
operator use the Gray Line brand name and to create sightseeing
products within India. This is apart from getting assistance
from the US-based company for worldwide distribution of its
products. According to Lalit Sheth, Chairman and Managing
Director, of the firm it is a pure marketing and booking tie-up
without any offer of any equity. It is reported the Indian
company as master franchisee will operate a series of Gray
Line tours in Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Agra, Chennai,
Kochi, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mysore and Mahabalipuram, among
others. The company has invested in 34 Volvo coaches for the
tours.
Apollo to foray into logistics business
Apollo Tyres Limited, the 3,000 crore tyre major is planning
to foray into the transportation and logistics business. The
company is setting up a cargo Container Freight Station (CFS)
and is also planning to acquire a third party logistics firm
to get into this business. It will also offer inventory management,
distribution centres, cold storage and other logistics related
activities. Apollo Tyres will invest Rs150 crore for this
set up which will spread over 60 acres at Panvel near a premier
container port Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). The CFS
will have a capacity to handle 2,50,000 twenty-foot equivalent
unit (TEU) boxes in a year. Over the next three-four years
the company has plans to expand the logistics business by
setting up CFS's in other locations of India
CONNECTIONS
Heli tourism on a high
Now is the time for competitive helicopterism at its best.
The whirly birds were previously confined to medical evacuation
and to rig to shore transport but with the concept of helitourism
gaining popularity, chopper companies like Pawan Hans Helicopters,
Deccan Aviation's heli-charter arm, United Helicharters, Jagson
Airlines and Global Vectra Helicorp are looking to expand
their operations. Deccan Aviation, package tour to heritage
sites such as Hampi-Belur from Bangalore is available for
Rs 3,90,000 for six people including accommodation, meals
and helicopter ride from Jakkur to Belur and back. Jagson
Airlines, is increasing its chopper services on the pilgrimage
circuit. The airline will be adding two more helicopters to
its fleet by May 2007 at an estimated investment of Rs 20-25
crore. Meanwhile Global Vectra Helicorp, plans to add eight
new 13 seater helicopters to its existing fleet by May 2007.
Karnataka plans toll fee for highways
The Karnataka Government is planning to introduce toll fee
for its highways. This follows increasing pressure on resources
to maintain the State highways due to huge volume of traffic.
However the authorities have decided to constitute a committee
headed by the Transport Commissioner to study the feasibility
of the proposal before taking a decision. It is reported the
committee comprising officials from the Departments of Transport,
Public Works, Police and Karnataka Road Development will study
the locations for installation of tollgates on state highways
before submitting their observations later this month.
IRCTC to offer rail tour packages
Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC),
the marketing arm of the Indian Railways, is looking to introduce
tourism packages for budget travel in South India. These were
aimed at encouraging rail-bound tourism in the country. According
to J Vinayan, Additional General Manager, IRCTC the packages
to be soon operated from Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata (Howrah)
and New Delhi to Kerala and Tamil Nadu, will provide value-added
travel services such as reservation, ticketing, package tours,
boarding and lodging to customers. The seven packages have
been targeted for different segments such as budget, standard
and luxury travellers. The packages do no contain any hidden
costs and are inclusive of all taxes, entrance fee at heritage
centres, toll fees and parking charges for vehicles.
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