India’s First Semi-High Speed Train Gatimaan Express Flagged off

The country’s first semi-high speed train – Gatimaan Express – was flagged off by Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday.

The new express train will operate between the national capital’s Hazrat Nizamuddin station and Agra Cantonment station, six days a week, except on Friday.

The new express train can attain a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, according to the Ministry of Railways.

#TransformingIndia INDIA’S 1ST SEMI-HIGH SPEED TRAIN GATIMAAN EX CAPABLE OF RUNNING AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 160 KMPH pic.twitter.com/x1ywbV71sQ

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 5, 2016

The launch of this train heralds a new era of high-speed rail travel in India. Railway Minister has been emphasising about increasing the speed of both passenger and goods trains in his budget speeches. 

Excerpt From Indian Railways’ Statement

Key Features

• It comprises two executive AC chair cars and eight AC chair car coaches.
  
• The fare for a single AC chair car seat will be Rs 750, and that for the executive AC chair car seat Rs 1,500.
  
• The onboard catering will be carried out by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), with options for different cuisines, served by train hostesses.
  
• The new train will provide free onboard entertainment by a private agency – MyFreeTv.in.
  
• The ministry claims the trains have bio-toilets and are fit to run at 160 km per hour.
  
• The train features new LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches manufactured by Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala.
  
• These coaches have also been fitted with balanced draft gear couplers for a smooth ride.
  

(With inputs from IANS.)

Also read: The Gatimaan Express: 10 Things You Should Know