Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday flagged off the much-awaited Gatiman Express which crosses the distance Agra from Nizamuddin station in 90 to 100 minutes and said that this signified an important step for the Indian Railways.
"We have decided that we will try to ensure that all the trains running across the country become must faster than they are today. We will try that the trains used regularly by the common man becomes faster, so that they reach their destination sooner," Prabhu told ANI after flagging off the express.
The Nizamuddin-Agra Gatiman Express is the first semi-high speed service in railways, which will run at a speed of 160 kilometer per hour and is expected to cover the 200 km distance in 100 minutes.
The launch of this train heralds a new era of high speed rail travel in India.
IRCTC has made arrangement for deploying train hostesses also on board the train. It will see improved catering and will have options of different kinds of cuisines.
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Another unique feature of this train is free of cost on board entertainment facility as passengers can view various entertaining videos during travel on their smart phone, tablets or laptops even without internet connection through WiFi.
The coaches used in train have been fitted with bio-toilets.
The train will run six days a week except Friday on both directions and will start its journey from Nizamuddin at 8.10 AM and will reach Agra at 9.50 AM.
During its return, the train will depart from Agra at 5.50 PM to reach Nizamuddin at 7.30 PM.
The fare for fully air conditioned chair car is Rs 750, while for executive Class, it is Rs 1,500.
