India’s First Private Train - The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express.

Photo By:-By Rajendra B. Aklekar - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, 

                       Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will be India's first train operated by private sector. The Railways, despite protests from its unions, is going ahead with its 100-day agenda of handing over operations of two of its trains to the private sector.

1.    The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express. (Train number 12585/12586)

2.    The Mumbai-Ahmedabad Tejas Express (Train number 80383/80384)

                       Tejas Express is India's first semi-high speed fully air conditioned train which is capable of running at a maximum speed of 200 KMPH, but the maximum operating speed allowed is 130 kmph due to track and safety constraints.

                       Here is all you need to know about India’s First Private Train, The Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express.

1.    The train is expected to start its operation from October 4^th 2019.

2.    The Tejas Express will depart from Lucknow Junction at 6.50 am and reach New Delhi at 1.35 pm. On the return journey, it will leave from New Delhi at 3.35 pm and will arrive in Lucknow Junction at 10.05 pm. 

3.    The train will have aircraft-like personalized LCD entertainment-cum-information screens fitted at the back of every seat, on-board Wi- Fi facility, comfortable seats, mobile charging points, automatic doors and CCTV cameras.

4.    The seats will have an orange and yellow colour scheme that will match the exteriors of the train.

5.    Tejas coaches are fitted with LED lights and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) interior panels, modular toilets and smart windows with motor-operated venetian blinds.

6.    The new Tejas Express train will have 23 chair cars and executive class coaches.

7.    According to the Northern Railway's timetable, Tejas Express will run for five days a week between New Delhi and Lucknow. It will not run on Thursday and Sunday.

8.    The total distance it will cover will be 512 kms.

9.    Coaches will have bio-vacuum toilets, water level indicators, tap sensors, hand dryers, integrated braille displays, local cuisine, celebrity chef menu, tea & coffee vending machines, magazines, snack tables, fire & smoke detection and suppression system.

10. The Tejas Express has redesigned seats with eco-leather. Toilets are equipped with soap dispensers, touch-less water taps, odour-control systems and occupancy indicators.

11. Each coach will have RO water filter and will be provided on demand to passengers. Packaged drinking water bottle for each passenger will also be there for travelers.

12. Passengers can book tickets in Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express via IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in or its mobile app. There will be no booking at railway reservation counters.

13. Passengers can also book tickets through IRCTC authorized agents. Train tickets of Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will be available through online travel portals such as Paytm, Ixigo, PhonePe, Make My Trip, Google, Ibibo, Railyatri etc.

14. Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express trains will have advance reservation period of 60 days. No concessions, privileges or duty passes will be allowed on these trains.

15. Children of age 5 years and above will be charged the full fare.

16. Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express will follow dynamic fare rule. Train will have different series of fares for lean, busy and festive seasons. The fares will be around 50% less than the price of flight tickets on the same route even during the peak season.

17. There will be no tatkal quota or premium tatkal quota in these trains. There will be only general quota and foreign tourist quota. 

18. Passengers can book the tickets of chair car on first-cum-first-serve basis. For group bookings 78 seats in one AC chair car will be available.

19. One has to book tickets via online at least three days prior from the date of journey.

20. High quality food and beverages will be provided to the passengers on board in the train. Food charges will be compulsory and will be collected when tickets are booked. Free tea and coffee will be available in trains from vending machines.

21. For the passengers of the Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express, IRCTC plans to offer exclusive doorstep baggage collection and drop services. IRCTC is planning a scheme whereby it will ferry the luggage of passengers from their homes to their seats and from the seat to their destination on a payment basis. This is to ensure that passengers can travel without being concerned about their luggage. All luggage will be insured.

22. IRCTC will be free to advertise inside and outside the coaches. It will also be at liberty to make modifications inside the rake without making structural changes or any changes that affect safety.