India's Fastest Train, Gatimaan Express, Launched Today

New Delhi: India's fastest train Gatiman Express ran from Delhi to Agra in a record 100 minutes on its debut run this morning, at a speed of 160 km per hour, which is seven minutes faster than the Shatabdi Express.

Complete with train-hostesses and an entertainment system on board, The Gatiman Express is the first semi-high speed train in the country and aims at attracting tourists who wish to visit the Taj Mahal city.

Passengers were welcomed with roses by hostesses as they boarded the royal blue and grey train at the Nizamuddin Railway station in New Delhi.

India’s Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said: “It is a happy occasion for us as the first semi-high speed train Gatiman starts today. We want to increase speed of all trains whether ordinary or express as part of our ‘raftar’ mission. It is not an easy task. It will take time but we have made a plan.”

The train has two “executive class” coaches at Rs 1,500 a seat and eight AC chair car coaches for half that price, a high-power emergency braking system, automatic fire alarm, a GPS-based passenger information system and sliding doors between coaches.

The wide-ranging menu offers Spanish omelet, date walnut cake, wheat upma, Kanjeevaram idli, aloo kulcha, mini dosa, chicken rolls and Swiss rolls served on chinaware.

The new train also provides on-board entertainment facilities including free WiFi.
Hotspot devices have been installed at coaches to enable passengers to access multimedia services free of cost directly on their smartphones, tablets or laptops. Nine more such trains will run across the country.

In addition, the ministry pointed out that the express train features new LHB (Linke-Hofmann-Busch) coaches fabricated by Rail Coach Factory (RCF) and they are fitted with bio-toilets.

The Gatiman will run six days a week, except Fridays, because that is the day when the Taj Mahal is shut.