India’s first semi-high speed
train christened as Gatimaan Express capable of running at a maximum speed of
160 KMPH is all set to be introduced on the Indian Railway system from 5th
April, 2016 (Tuesday) onwards. The train will run between H. Nizammuddin
station and Agra Cantt. Station. The train will be flagged off tomorrow i.e. 5th
April, 2016 from H. Nizammuddin Railway Station by the Minister of Railways
Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabu in the presence of several other dignitaries. 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. On the day of inauguration on 5th
April, 2016, one inaugural trip between H. Nizammuddin and Agra Cantt. station
will however be run as a special train with a number 02050 .
INAUGURAL
RUN OF TRAIN NO. 02050 BETWEEN H. NIZAMUDDIN AND AGRA CANTT. ‘GATIMAN’ EXPRESS
TRAIN ON 05.04.2016
In
its inaugural run the train no. 02050 H. Nizamuddin- Agra Cantt. ‘Gatiman’Express
train will depart from H. Nizamuddin on 05.04.2016 at 10.00 a.m. to reach Agra
Cantt. at 11.40 a.m. the same day.
SCHEDULE
OF REGULAR RUN OF TRAIN NO. 12050/12049 BETWEEN H. NIZAMUDDIN AND AGRA CANTT.
‘GATIMAN’ EXPRESS FROM 05.04.2016
After
the inaugural run in the morning of April 5, 2016 the 12049/12050 ‘Gatimaan’
Express will pick up its regular/schedule run on the same evening i.e.
05/04/2016
as per the following details:-
The
12049 AgraCantt - H.Nizamuddin Gatimaan Express will start its first regular
run on 05/04/2016 from Agra Cantt Railway station at 17:50 hrs. to reach H.
Nizamuddin at 19:30 hrs the same day.
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.
******
AKS/DK