India’s fastest train Gatimaan to slow down from 160 to 130 kmph on extended route

Gatimaan Express which runs at the speed of 160 kmph between Delhi and Agra will be extended to Gwalior and then to Jhansi. Officials said Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi route is fit for 130 kmph only.

India’s fastest train, Gatimaan Express, which runs at a speed of 160 kmph, will slow down to 130 kmph after it is extended to Gwalior and Jhansi, according to senior railways officials.

Passengers aboard Gatimaan Express, India’s first semi-high speed train, in New Delhi. (PTI Photo)

Railway ministry officials say the Railway Board has taken a decision to extend the route of Gatimaan Express — which runs between Delhi and Agra at a speed of 160 kmph Express — to Gwalior and then to Jhansi. On the new stretch, the train will run at 130 kmph.

“The Agra-Gwalior-Jhansi route is fit for 130 kmph only, so the train has to run at that speed,” officials said.

The train’s extended run, expected to begin any day now, however, is stuck as the board is still contemplating the fare structure, ministry sources indicate.

The difference in speed limits is making their task difficult.

At present, the fare for travelling in an executive class is Rs 1,505 and a booking for AC chair car costs Rs 755 between Delhi and Agra.

Gatimaan Express is equipped with modern amenities including bio-toilets, fire alarms, GPS-based passenger information system, automatic sliding doors and free Wi-Fi Internet service.

Officials say the decision to extend the train’s run was taken because it reaches Agra in the morning and then it is stationed there all day. Now, it will make its way to Jhansi.