Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation's (MPSTDC) unique service the caravan -the only luxury service on road in India - has got national permit. 

Buoyed by the increase in queries and interest about the service, the corporation will consider increasing its fleet. Presently, MPSTDC has three caravans, one each stationed at Indore, Bhopaland Jabalpur. 

Regional manager of MPSTDC, M N Jamali said, "We have got the national permit from Regional Transport Office (RTO) for our caravan bus service and now we can send our caravan anywhere in the country." MPSTDC claims that their caravan bus service is only such service in the country.

The caravan bus can accommodate seven people and has features like two LCD TVs, dining table, fridge, bathroom and microwave-oven. The sofas in the recreational bus can be converted into beds and apart from seven adults two kids can also sleep in it. It has an expandable shed with chair and tables facility. The MPSTDC charges Rs 22 per km and Rs 1,000 for a night stay for the caravan as per a report in TOI by Bagish K. Jha.

Jamali said that no other tourism department in the country offer a caravan service and there is no private player in this segment as well. There are a few caravans in the country, but are in the possession of a few rich individuals. 

Jamali said that the main idea behind launching the caravan service was to promote tourism. "It was started to introduce a tourism focusing family or group of people," he said. 

This concept of MPSTDC got National Tourism Award 2009-10 for Most Innovative/Unique Tourism Product Caravan Bus. 

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