Bharat Gaurav train: India's first private rail service begins journey

South Star Rail is the registered service provider that will operate the train between Coimbatore and Shirdi

The first train to be operated between Coimbatore and Shirdi by a private operator, under the "Bharat Gaurav" scheme of the Indian Railways, was flagged off on Tuesday.

With this, the Southern Railway became the first zone in Indian Railways to get the first registered service provider under the "Bharat Gaurav" scheme, the Ministry of Railways said, adding that 1,100 passengers boarded the maiden roundtrip service from Coimbatore to Shirdi.

Coimbatore-based South Star Rail is the registered service provider that operates the train. The company is part of the conglomerate group - Future Gaming & Hotel Services Pvt. Limited has