Union Tourism Ministers and State Tourism Ministers lighting the lamp at the conference.

Breaking Tourism News…BTN India
Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahai inaugurated the Second Western Regional Conference of Tourism Ministers at Aurangabad today. Speaking on the occasion the Minister outlined the vision of the Ministry for developing tourism during the 12th Five Year Plan. This set the tone for the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to share their developmental plans through comprehensive presentations. The presentations made by the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations highlighted matters relating to development of infrastructure through integrated planning, Public Private Partnership, convergence of resources, man power development, strategies for promoting of intra and interstate domestic tourism, and implementation of code of conduct for “Safe & Honourable Tourism” and “Sustainable Tourism. Prithviraj Chavan, Chief Minister of Maharashtra and Sultan Ahmed, Union Minister of State for Tourism were also present at the inauguration ceremony.

The participating states include Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu. The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has organised the two day conference to bring together all the State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and the private sector stake holders in the western region on a common platform to discuss and take forward a holistic and integrated development of tourism in the region.

R H Khwaja , Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India led the delegation comprising senior officials of the Ministry of Tourism, State Tourism Departments and the private stake holders to a visit to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora. The objective of the visit was to assess the existing infrastructure and the need for further development of these World Heritage Sites.
The significant presence of the private sector representing various trade bodies and Associations like FICCI, CII, TAAI, IATO, HAI, FHRAI, ITTA, etc. reinforces the commitment of all the stake holders towards the success of the public private partnership spirit in the development of tourism.

The Union Minister for Railways, Dinesh Trivedi holding discussions with the Minister of State for Railways, Bharatsinh Solanki and officials of Railway Board at Rail Bhavan in New Delhi.

Breaking Tourism News…BTN India
On his first visit to Rail Bhawan today after being sworn in as Union Railway Minister on July 12, 2011, Dinesh Trivedi has held discussions with his colleague Minister of State for Railway Bharatsinh Solanki and the officials of the Railway Board.

Later, while interacted with the media persons, Mr Trivedi outlined the focus and priorities set for the growth of the Indian Railways. He said “Indian Railways is one of the best organizations in the World, a lifeline of the country, which has done the nation proud. Considering the constraints under which it has to work, it has rendered phenomenal service to the nation, which is only possible because of the dedication of all the workers and the management.”

1. To improve productivity and efficiency.  To respond to the needs of the 21^st century with associated tools and technologies, to help workers and unions achieve their best.  This will also include Process Reforms.
2.  Passenger – ultimate customer.  Their security, safety, service, comfort and flexibility are of utmost importance.
3. Substantial expansion of the Railways in handling of passengers and freight, to add and to grow in the Indian economy and respond to the needs of business and service sector.
4. Land use through preparing national database of railway owned land, management of the same and potential to create new community assets through PPP.
5. Modernize Railway stations through PPP. To create community space not only for transport but also for education, health, business and entertainment. Provide Wi-fi in Railway stations and trains. Revive Rail-Tel.
6. Modernize Railway factories to increase capacity. Emphasize indigenous design and development, local production to create new jobs.
7. Real-time Track management.
a. Implementation of modern e-signaling systems for train protection, improving track capacity and efficiency.
b. Advanced Anti Collision Devices on trains for averting both head on collisions as well as accidents caused due to track obstruction.
c. Implementation of GPS systems for real tracking of trains, advanced traffic analysis for efficient logistics of passenger and freight trains.
d. Manning/Over-bridge for all the unmanned level crossings.
8. Mobile ticketing, associated mobile commerce and other services for passengers and vendors. Railway Debit Cards to be made available at stations via digital kiosks for the purpose of purchasing items from vendors and can be used to purchase tickets as well.
9. Timely completion of East West Dedicated Freight Corridor.
10. Explore new projects, such as high speed rail to meet growing needs of the Indian Transport sector linking with other transport hubs to create seamless integrated connectivity.

He said that the priority would be given to the timely completion of the projects which have already been initiated and announced in the previous Railway Budgets.