New Delhi:
If sources are to be believed the Indian Railways is likely to start the commercial run of the much awaited ‘Train 18’ between Delhi and Varanasi next week, just ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad which begins on January 14. It is also likely to be one of the four special trains to ferry delegates of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on January 24 from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad to the national capital in time for the Republic Day event.
The gleaming, blue-nosed train comes fitted with amenities on a par with the best in the world - on-board Wi-Fi, GPS-based passenger information system, touch-free bio-vacuum toilets, LED lighting, mobile charging points, and a climate control system that adjusts the temperature according to occupancy and weather.
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Indian Railways has stated that the train which will run at a speed of 130 kmph which will eventually reduce the journey time between the two cities from the current 11 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours.
The source said, "The train is 45 per cent faster than the fastest train on this route. It will be flagged off by the prime minister ahead of the Kumbh Mela’’.
While Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, who inspected the Train 18 rake, on Wednesday refused to give a date for the train's first run, he said it will "begin service soon".
Sources said a date will be finalised once the Railways gets a go ahead from the PMO. While the train fare is not finalised yet, it is expected to include the cover of food. On its journey to Varanasi on its first run, it will have two stoppages - one at Kanpur and the other at Allahabad.
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Recently, Indian Railways conducted trial run for Train 18 which started from Delhi to Allahabad. Train 18 completed the 665-km journey in six hours and 50 minutes at a speed of around 110 kmph. This is approximately two hours less that what Rajdhani takes to complete the same.
