MUMBAI: The Tejas Express, the first Indian train with an on board infotainment system and assures an aircraft like experience is all set for its maiden run between Mumbai and Karmali railway station in Goa.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu will flag off the train on its first journey from Mumbai CST on Monday. The train that sports a bright yellow look has a total 15 LHB coaches, 12 of which are 3x2 chair cars, while one is an executive chair car that has more leg space and a 2x2 seat combination.
All the seats have separate LCD displays in front of them and a personal light, airflow and caller bell panel above them, very similar to an aircraft. Large windows, elegant design, more leg space and a speed that can go up to 200 kmph are the premium features that make the train around 20 per cent costlier than the Shatabdi express.
"Tejas Express is a semi high speed train having modern on board facilities, enhanced passenger comfort and showcases the future of Train travel in India," divisional railway manager Ravinder Goyal said here on Sunday, as the train was put on display on platform no. 18 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). Several passengers and railway staff were seen taking selfies with the new train.
The coaches also have new age automatic sliding doors, modern bio-vacuum toilets, water level indicators, tap sensors, hand dryers, integrated braille displays, WiFi, tea-coffee vending machines, aircraft-like snack tables, CCTV cameras, fire & smoke detection and suppression system.
The IRCTC has also offered local cuisine and a celebrity chef menu, for which passengers will have to shell out about Rs 1000-1500 more than the tickets without catering facility.
The train will make five stops and reach Goa in 7 hours 30 minutes, saving around two hours of travel time. However, the speed restrictions on the Konkan railway line during the monsoon would mean that the train won't be able to achieve its fullest speed potential on the Mumbai-Goa route very soon.
The Tejas train is expected to ply on New Delhi-Chandigarh and Lucknow-Anand Vihar(T) after the Mumbai CST-Karmali route.