Mumbai: The much-awaited 'Tejas Express' with ultra-modern amenities like LED TV, WiFi, CCTV will be flagged off on Monday from Mumbai to Goa by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
"Tomorrow (Monday) is going to be a historic day for the Indian Railways when Tejas Express, which boasts of ultra-modern amenities like on board infotainment, wi-fi, CCTV, fire and smoke detection facilities, tea/coffee vending machine etc will make its maiden run from Mumbai," D K Sharma, general manager of the Central Railway, said.
Sharma, who inspected the train at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai (CSTM) likened Tejas Express to an "aeroplane moving on the ground".
"I would say that travelling by this premium train would provide a better experience than flying in a plane. This train would pass through the lush greenery of the Konkan belt, giving a picturesque view of the seashore, mountains and valleys, which will let you enjoy the journey and not just the destination (Goa)," he said. ALSO READ | Tejas Express: Know All About This Premier Train
When asked about reports that a few miscreants had damaged the windows of the Tejas Express, even before its launch, the official said, "We have taken proper note of it and it is no more an issue now." In Pics | Inside Tejas Express: Indian Railways' new high speed, premier AC train
Giving the details of the route and schedule of the train, Sharma said it would run between Mumbai and Karmali (Goa) five days a week during non-monsoon period and three days a week during monsoon by halting at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Ratnagiri and Kudal stations.
This train will have one executive AC chair car with 56 seating capacity and 12 AC chair cars with 78-seat capacity of each coach, Sharma said.
Central Railway Chief Commercial Manager Shailendra Kumar expressed happiness over the "positive response" shown by passengers in booking advance tickets for the train. Kumar, who accompanied Sharma during the train inspection, added, "The ticket booking started within minutes of its opening this morning and in the first four hours, 207 passengers booked tickets for the AC chair car and 10 for executive AC chair car."
Sharing details of the fares, Kumar said Tejas Express's executive class fare has been fixed at Rs 2,680 with food and Rs 2,525 without food, and for AC chair car the fare has been fixed at Rs 1,280 with food and Rs 1,155 without food.
Kumar also informed that the railways have planned optional onboard catering services. "If a passenger does not opt for catering services at the time of booking the ticket and decides to buy meals onboard, an extra amount of Rs 50 per service in addition to the prescribed catering charges, shall be charged subject to availability," he added.
(With PTI Inputs)
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