Mahamana Express: Know what's special about the train PM Modi flagged off today

Text: Economictimes.com

India will have at least three superfast trains and a special tourist offering from the railways. The four trains will change the way India travels with better services, state-of-the-art technology and most importantly, speed.

Here's what's in store

A lightweight train manufactured by a Spanish firm, it clocked 180kmph during the second phase of high-speed trials between Mathura and Palwal, covering a distance of 86km in just 39 minutes.

In the process, it shattered the record by an Indian train -previously held by Gatimaan Express, at 160kmph.

The light and faster train, with nine coaches and hauled by a 4,500 HP diesel engine, covered the 90-km distance in 70 minutes, officials said. The train, comprising two executive class cars, four chair cars, a cafeteria, a power car and a tail-end coach for staff and equipment, ran continuously at 180 kmph from Bhuteshwar to Rundhi stations, covering the distance in 39 minutes.

The nine-coach Talgo train consists of two Executive Class cars, four Chair Cars, a cafeteria, a power car and a tail-end coach for staff and equipment.

Talgo’s chair cars can seat 36 people and the Executive chair cars can seat 18 people.

Talgo envisages the journey between Delhi and Mumbai can be completed in about 12 hours as compared to 17 hours at present.

Current status: Recently Talgo’s coaches successfully completed their first run loaded to full capacity at a speed of 180 kmph between the Mathura to Palwal stretch.

As part of the final phase of trials, the nine-coach Talgo will undertake three trips between Mumbai and Delhi between August 1 and 5.

Gatimaan Express, the country's first semi-high speed train, also features new Linke-Hofmann-Busch coaches made by the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala.

The new train - that can reach a maximum speed of 160 km per hour - will operate between Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin station and Agra Cantonment station.

It will run six days a week, except on Fridays.

Accomodation and price: The Gatimaan Express train comprises two executive AC chair cars and eight AC chair car coaches. The fare for an AC chair car seat is set at Rs 750 and that for an executive AC chair car seat at Rs 1,500.

Food: The railway ministry said that catering on the new train will be carried out by the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), a railway undertaking.

Entertainment: The new train also provides free on-board entertainment by a private provider, MyFreeTv.in.

These coaches have been fitted with bio-toilets and are fit to run at 160 km per hour.These coaches have also been fitted with balanced draft gear couplers for a smooth ride.

The new express train will be run on "WAP 5", an electrical engine, which has a power output of 5,500 HP.

Current status: It operates at a speed of 160 km/h (99 mph) and is the fastest train in India. The train takes a travel time of 100 minutes to cover 188 kilometres (117 mi) journey from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantonment railway stations.

Varanasi-New Delhi superfast, part of railways' 'Model rake project'.

The new 'Model Rake' is a refurbished and re-adapted version of seven types of coaches which have been servicing for the past 10-12 years on Indian Railways.

Features: Modular panels without visible screws and minimum maintenance hatches inside passenger area for better safety and aesthetics. Ergonomically designed ladders for climbing up to upper berths provided in all sleeper coaches.

Aesthetically appealing toilet modules provided with enhanced passenger amenities - big mirror, platform washbasin, controlled discharged water tap, odour control system, exhaust fan, LED lights, dustbin inside the toilet to name a few.

Shifting of electrical junction points from passenger area to non-passenger area in a centralised distribution board for enhanced safety Use of e-beam cables and polyamide conduits for enhanced electrical and fire safety.

Use of LED lighting to enhance illumination & service durability while minimizing power consumption.

This is also the first train to have a seamless run on electric traction from Varanasi to New Delhi.

Fare: The basic fare of Varanasi-New Delhi Mahamana Express (Tri-weekly) shall be 15% higher than the normal Mail/Express basic fares except fares for second class (unreserved) which will only be superfast Mail/Express fare of regular train services instead of 15% higher than normal Mail/Express basic fares.

Current status: Running

Launched on June 5, this is the first semi-luxury train on a tourist circuit with a dining car, bathrooms with showers and a small library.

The package includes accommodation in air-conditioned rooms of three stars or equivalent ranked hotels for three nights, sightseeing, food, inter-city transfers and travel insurance, IRCTC said.

Ticket Price: The 5 days-6 nights trip includes three Tiger Safaris.

The entire trip has a tariff structure starting from Rs 38,500. The cost for the AC-first class package for now ranges from Rs 49,500 to Rs 39,500. AC 2-tier ranges from Rs 33,500 to Rs 43,500.For foreign tourists an additional cost of Rs 4,000 is charged for Safari booking at Bandhavgarh and Kanha National Park.

Route: Giving details of the itinerary, an IRCTC official said during the five-night-six-day trip the train would take passengers to Katni from where they will be taken Bandhavgarh by road for a safari.

From there they will be taken to Kanha for another safari.The tourists will then be taken to famous Dhuadhar Falls in Bhedaghar, Jabalpur, before heading back to Delhi.

Current Status: The train would begin its regular monthly trips from October onwards after the National Parks reopen following the monsoon.

With inputs from agencies.

Mahamana Express: Know what's special about the train PM Modi flagged off today

The Vadodara-Varanasi Weekly Superfast Mahamana Express train (No 20903) will depart from Vadodara every Wednesday at 7.40 pm and will reach Varanasi at 10.20 pm the next day.

More from our Partners

Popular Categories

Hot on Web

In Case you missed it

Top Searched Companies

Latest News

Download ET APP

Follow us on

become a member