Luxurious Tejas Train Debuts With Mumbai-Goa Run; 5 Things Which Only Tejas Offers

Tejas Express hailed as India’s premier and the most luxurious train has started its operation. On its debut journey, Tejas ran between Mumbai and Goa, and its first trip was proudly inaugurated by Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu yesterday.

The train started from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station in Mumbai and reached Karmali in North Goa after halting at Dadar, Thane, Panvel, Ratnagiri and Kudal. The train’s maximum speed is 200 km/hr, however, due to constraints related to railway tracks, the train would run at a speed of 160 km/hr.

Described as semi-high speed train by Indian Railways, the USP of Tejas Express lies in ultra luxurious amenities and facilities being provided in the train, which is not available in any other train as of now; including the legendary Shatabdi and Rajdhani Express.

Overall, there are 22 new and exciting features in the train, which has been introduced for the first time in any train in India.

Here are 5 things which you will find only inside Tejas Express:

Food Curated by Sanjeev Kapoor

Most probably for the first time, Indian Railway has decided to take help from famous food celebrities for finalising the menu inside the train. And Tejas Express has set a precedent. Passengers of this luxurious train would be able to consume food items, which have been hand-picked and curated by none other than Sanjeev Kapoor, the most visible and most popular chef in India.

Coffee and tea vending machines have also been provided in the train.

Here is the menu for Tejas Express, as decided by Sanjeev Kapoor:

Sophisticated security mechanism

Special emphasis has been provided for enhancing and optimising security system for the Tejas train.

Tejas Express between Mumbai and Goa has 15 coaches overall, and they have been specially manufactured at Indian Coach Factory in Chennai, embedding the top-most security features. There are smoke fire detection systems installed in every coach (hence no more smoking inside the washrooms), along with close circuit cameras, covering every inch of the train.

The train also an in-built GPS navigation system, which means more security and safety.

Personalised Entertainment System

Tejas Express has created a new initiative in terms of an on-demand entertainment platform. Every seat in the train will have an LCD screen, on which passengers can watch on-demand movies, videos and news. Besides, the LCDs would be also used to provide information regarding the journey. A personalised infotainment system would be launched as well.

Besides, the train will also have racks for magazines and newspapers, which would be offered without any charges.

Ultra Modern Design & Seating

Tejas Express which ran between Mumbai and Goa had 1 Executive Class coach with 56 seats and 12 Normal AC Chair Car with 78 seats each. Incorporating a modern design and interiors, the coaches have automatic doors for entry and exit, along with touch-less tap water mechanism, water level indicators, hand dryers, and bio-vacuum toilets along with reading light on top of every seat, leather cover seats and more.

WiFi facility has also been provided for seamless internet connectivity.

Expensive Fares

In order to include so many luxurious features, the fares of Tejas Express have been kept a bit expensive compared to any other train. Executive Class ticket for Mumbai to Goa is charged at Rs 2590, which is 20% more expensive than Shatabdi Express and a flight ticket (Mumbai to Goa flight ticket costs Rs 2000 if booked in advance).

However, there is one advantage in Tejas Express, which is not present in Shatabdi or Rajdhani – the choice of food.

Tejas passengers can opt for the food inside the train, unlike Shatabdi or Rajdhani. Hence, Mumbai to Goa in EC class without food will cost Rs 2540, and with food, it will cost Rs Rs 2940. Likewise, the fares are Rs 1,310 with food for normal AC Chair Car and Rs 1,185 without it

Soon, Tejas Express would be launched between Delhi and Chandigarh; Mumbai and Surat; and Lucknow and Delhi as well.

Do you think that introduction of Tejas Express will create a new standard for Indian Railways? Or it just a gimmick and show off? Do let us know by commenting right here!