Massage services on trains are un-indian, warns MP, after revenue-raising plans are revealed

PLANS to offer Indian train passengers massages have been described as immodest and “un-indian” by a conservative politician.

Indian Railways, the state operator, announced last week that massages would be available to buy on a number of routes, with a range of options involving creams and essential oils.

The services will be rolled out in the next few weeks on 39 trains departing from the central city of Indore.

But the move has angered Shankar Lalwani, of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

In a letter to Piyush Goyal, the railways minister, the MP for Indore said that it was “against Indian culture to offer such services in the presence of women”.

Indian Railways is looking to generate additional revenue through the massages, provided by certified independent masseurs who will pay fees to the train operators.

“Is providing these kind of services in front of women in accordance with the principles of Indian culture?” asked Mr Lalwani in his letter. There are gold, diamond and platinum categories of massage services costing from 100 rupees (£1.20) to 300 rupees. All the services will last between 15 and 20 minutes.

“I can understand this service being provided in tourist trains,” said Mr Lalwani. “But not in passenger trains as is being planned. It is completely unnecessary and many women groups here have also complained about it.”

The scheme is part of a wider push by Indian Railways to raise non-fare revenues through creative ideas.