INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
and tests in place, the railways is all set to launch the indigenously-built Train-18 with fares that are likely to be around 40-50 per cent
higher than the Shatabdi Express, officials said.Officials said they have approached Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking time for the
launch by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which is likely after the presentation of the budget
The first train is slated to run between New Delhi and Varanasi, the Prime Minister's Lok Sabha constituency said.They said that the
engineless Train-18, whose traction equipment is mounted below the bogies, got the final clearance of the Electrical Inspector to the
Government (EIG) on Thursday and "thus we have approached the PMO seeking time for the inaugural run of the train on the New Delhi-Varanasi
cover the 755 km distance in eight hours with stoppages at Kanpur and Prayagraj
It will be the fastest train on the route
The current fastest train takes around 11-and-a-half-hours to complete the journey.Hinting at the fare of the train, the officials said that
Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, has undergone extensive trials under the supervision of Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO),
It has successfully completed trials up to a speed of 180 kmph
replacing the Shatabdi Express fleet from next year, the officials said.The new train has a number of features to enhance passenger comfort
which include inter-connected fully-sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, GPS-based
passenger information system, modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, rotational seats which can be aligned in the direction of travel
(available only in the Executive Class), roller blinds and diffused LED lighting and disabled-friendly toilets.
