Sources said the estimated cost for the train with its typical touch of heritage value would entail an investment running into crores of rupees. But not much money would be spent by way of recurring cost except maintenance, thus making the venture profitable. The Tourism Department has identified a few important circuits where 'Palace on Wheels' could be operated. The train could connect Hampi, Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal to Bangalore and from there to Hassan, Belur-Halebid, Shravanabelagola and Mysore.

However, the coastal region could not be harvested due to absence of proper rail link between Hassan and Mysore.

The railways could promote Bangalore-Mysore-Hassan circuit and market it as Karnataka's 'Golden Triangle' given the diverse range of tourist interest in the region. Players in the tourism sector here affirm that repositioning Mysore as a popular destination would receive a boost, if the luxury train becomes a reality and the state government promotes the 'Golden Triangle'.

The 'Palace on Wheels would be run on the basis of one running in Rajasthan to popularise Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur by marketing the Thar desert, given a boost to the local tourism industry through the golden triangle comprising Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

If Rajasthan could market Thar desert, Kerala its backwaters and Orissa the sun temple (Konark) why could not Mysore some of its unique cultural features, was the regional refrain inthe tourism sector and among people in the hotel industry.

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