New Delhi: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will flag off on January 16 "Deccan Odyssey", a train on the pattern of "Palace on Wheels", which would connect key tourist destinations in Maharashtra and Goa.

This was stated by Railway Minister Nitish Kumar while replying to a calling attention motion in the Lok Sabha for speedy implementation of ongoing railway projects in Kerala.

Deccan Odyssey, a luxury train, is a joint venture between Indian Railways and Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.

During the debate, A C Jose (Congress) demanded that a train like Palace on Wheels should be introduced in Kerala for tourism purposes.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had met the Prime Minister here recently and invited him to flag off Deccan Odyssey.