Gatimaan Express flagged off amid fanfare

Heralding a new era of semi-high speed trains in the country, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday flagged off the first such train, which will cover the 200-km distance between Delhi and Agra in 100 minutes.

Train hostesses welcomed passengers with roses on board the Gatimaan Express, which will have a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, as music floated in the air at the Hazrat Nizamuddin station from where the train embarked on its maiden journey.

“It is a happy occasion for us as the first semi-high speed train Gatimaan starts today. We want to increase the 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,” Prabhu said.

Painted in royal blue and grey with a yellow strip in the middle, the train has another first – hostesses to welcome passengers and Indian and continental food.

Equipped with a 5,500 HP electric locomotive, two Executive AC Chair Cars and eight AC Chair Car coaches, the train has a high-power emergency braking system, automatic fire alarm, GPS-based passenger information system and sliding doors in the coaches. The passenger amenities have been enhanced by providing better catering service, improved coach interiors with wide windows, bio-toilets, besides free multimedia services.