India’s First Semi-High Speed Train ‘Gatimaan Express’ to run at speed of 160 Kmph
The Union Minister for Railways, Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu flagging off the Indias first semi-high speed train christened as Gatimaan Express, between H. Nizammuddin station and Agra Cantt. Station, at a function, at H. Nizammuddin station, in New Delhi on April 05, 2016. The Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital and other dignitaries are also seen.
New Delhi, April 5 : Ushering into a new era of Indian Railways, India’s first semi-high speed train christened as Gatimaan Express was flagged off by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday.
The train will run between Hazrat Nizammuddin station and Agra Cantt Station and complete the journey in 100 minutes i.e. 7 minutes less than Shatabdi Express on the same route.
The launch of this train heralds a new era of high speed rail travel in India. Railway Minister has been emphasizing about increasing the speed of both passenger and goods train in his budget speeches.
The on board catering on this train is being organized by railway PSU namely Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). IRCTC has made arrangement for deploying train hostesses also on board the train. This train will see improved catering and will have options of different kinds of cuisines. Another unique feature of this train is free of cost on board entertainment facility provided by an agency MyFreeTv.in . Under this facility, passengers can view various entertaining videos during travel on their smart phone, tablets or laptops even without internet connection through WiFi.
The coaches to be used in Gatiman Express are new LHB coaches turned out by Rail Coach Factory(RCF), Kapurthala. These coaches have been fitted with bio-toilets and are fit to run at 160 kmph. These coaches have also been fitted with balanced draft gear couplers for smooth ride. The passenger amenities have been enhanced by provision of soap dispenser and auto genitors in the toilets of trains. For making the coaches free microburst, system has also been fitted in the compartments. The beautiful sceneries have been pasted inside the coaches for better aesthetics. The exteriors of these coaches have also been given a new look by different colour scheme. The flooring of the coaches has been given marathon Shine treatment for cleaning and also given flooring a bright and shiny look. The train will be hauled by an electrical engine WAP 5 with horse power of 5500 HP.
In conjunction with this train, IRCTC has also arranged two different Agra Guided Tour Packages to coincide with the Time Table of this Gatimaan Express. One package is for the full day whereas the other package is for two days, the details of which could be seen at IRCTC website.
This Gatimaan Express will run six days a week except Friday and will carry the numbers 12050/12049 in its regular trips.
The regular run of train no. 12050 H. Nizamuddin-Agra Cantt Gatimaan will start from H.Nizamuddin station at 08.10 a.m. from 06.04.2016 to reach Agra Cantt. at 09.50 a.m. the same day.
‘Gatiman’ Express train will comprise of TWO Executive AC Chair Car & EIGHT AC Chair Car coaches. The fare for AC Chair Car is Rs.750/- whereas it is Rs.1500/- for Executive AC Chair Car. No concessions are admissible in this train.
The booking of Gatimaan Express including inaugural run ( i.e. train no. 02050) and for its further regular/scheduled runs (i.e. train no. 12049/12050) has opened from 8:00 a.m. of 02/04/2016.
