India’s first private train Tejas, being managed by IRCTC, will be on tracks and start plying from platform number 6 of Lucknow Junction in the first week of October.
“We have sent details to the Railway Board and they will decide the date of inauguration and who will flag off the train. We have demanded platform number 6 for the Tejas’ run between Lucknow and Delhi from Lucknow Division of North Eastern Railway and it has almost been decided,” Chief Regional Manager, IRCTC, Ashwini Srivastava, said.
The CRM said that the train would depart from Lucknow Junction (NER) every day at 6:10 am and start from New Delhi railway station at 4:30 pm the next day.
“Presently one rake of the train will be run and we are discussing the modalities of running the train,” he said.
Sources said that the IRCTC was also planning to have a separate ticket counter at railway stations to supervise ticketing. Besides, tickets of the train could also be purchased online.
The sources said that passengers would be able to book tickets 15 days prior to their journey and that the IRCTC may adopt dynamic fares and pricing model for tickets.
They said that initially executive class passengers could avail lounge facilities at the stations by paying marginal fees. The Railway lounge will be equipped with all comforts and conveniences available at an airport lounge. “Among other premium facilities, passengers can also avail facilities for conducting business meeting inside the lounge,” the sources said.
They said that the officials were mulling on providing facility of train hostess akin to air-hostesses to serve passengers.
“Indian Railways will provide the train driver, guard and RPF (personnel) for Tejas Express while ticketing staff, onboard house-keeping and catering will be managed by IRCTC,” they said.
Tejas Express will be an all air-conditioned chair car service and a more premium and luxurious version of Shatabdi Express. Besides, Tejas Express will be equipped with personalised infotainment screens, attendant call buttons, reading lights, foot-rest in executive class, modular bio-toilets, and automatic sliding doors for entry/exit.
The sources said that other facilities in the train include automatic doors, smoke alarms, CCTV cameras, hand dryers, on-board catering, vending machines, LED TV, magazines and electric outlets.