Railways changes tracks, offers virtual tourism

Google, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Taj Hotels are on the fast track to give a fresh look to Delhi’s National Rail Museum (NRM) and other heritage assets of the Indian Railways.

Come May, the Google Cultural Institute (GCI) will provide a virtual tour of the museum and a digital repository of its heritage assets for online access, free of cost. The institute was launched in 2011 to digitally preserve cultural documents. Google is also offering free Wi-Fi at NRM, making it the first such museum in the country.

Other historic venues where one can get a 360-degree view are the Taj Mahal and Kolkata’s Indian Museum.

“We have a huge list of heritage assets for which we can create virtual tours. Google may include Rewari Steam Locomotive Shed and Rail Museum and assets such as mountain railways, bridges, buildings, artifacts,” said an official. “According to our plan, by 2025, all heritage assets will be available online for history enthusiast.”

GCI provides a three-dimensional recreation of world heritage sites and archival exhibitions, in partnership with museums around the world. A memorandum of understanding has already been signed with Google in this regard.

IRCTC is likely to take up operations of NRM from the railway board. “The plan is to develop NRM into an amusement-cum-entertainment park. IRCTC may also run restaurants in the museum, which will be open at night, too,” said an IRCTC official. According to railway officials, these facilities will be launched within three months.

Tata group’s Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces has already started beautification of NRM as part of its corporate social responsibility.

Located over 10 acres with both indoor and outdoor exhibits, NRM started operations on February 1, 1977. The museum will also be available for film shootings and other events.