Get set to zip from Delhi to Chandigarh on board Tejas Express high-speed coaches soon
Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory to hand over first rake to Northern Railway by May 15
Train passengers on the Delhi-Chandigarh section will soon enjoy a comfortable ride at a speed of 160 kmph as the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala is set to roll out the first rake of 19 coaches in a couple of days.
The newly designed coaches are capable of running at a speed of 200 kmph but due to constraints related to rail tracks these coaches will run at a speed of 160 kmph, RCF general manager RP Nibaria said on Thursday.
Nibaria said he expects that the Tejas Express, in which some of these coaches will be fitted, will run by the end of May though a decision will be taken by the railway board.
FIRST RAKE READY BUT AWAITS SECURITY
He said that the first rake, comprising 19 coaches including 16 non-executive and two executive chair cars besides one power coach, will be handed over to the Northern Railway by May 15.
The first rake is ready for rollout but the RCF has demanded security guards from Northern Railway as costly gadgets have been fitted in the new coaches. Their arrival is expected in three days.
Initially, the Railway Board had decided to run the first high speed train Tejas Express on the Mumbai-Goa section but now the allotment has been made to Northern Railway, the general manager said.
AUTOMATIC PLUG DOOR, LCDs AND USB CHARGING
He said that it is for the first time in the history of Indian railways that an automatic entrance plug door has been introduced which provides better sound and heat insulation. Doors installed in the entire rake will be controlled by a guard panel.
He said that the luxury chair car is fitted with nine-inch LCD screen with touch screen control on the back of every seat and a personalised infotainment system besides USB charging facility is fitted on every seat.
The other features include highly comfortable and adjustable e-leather upholstery, redesigned arm rest and adequate leg support.
NEW BRAKING SYSTEM, WI-FI AND BIO TOILETS
The new coach is fitted with improved couplers that will provide jerk-free comfortable ride even at high speeds and coaches are fitted with new braking system.
Facilities like wi-fi and a mechanism where passengers can call attendants by using the bell attached to a panel will be provided.
Tejas coaches also have improved lavatory and bio toilets with airlines such as vacuum evacuation besides sensor taps and soap dispenser.
Here’s the video:
NEXT TWO RAKES IN MARCH
He said that the cost of each coach is Rs 3.25 crore and a coach is manufactured in six months.
The next two rakes of these high-speed coaches will be rolled out by March next year.
The railways will run the Tejas Express on the Mumbai-Goa, Delhi-Chandigarh and Surat-Mumbai sections.