The Indian Railways has one of the largest rail networks in the world, with a wide range of trains catering to the passengers every day. Among the trains it runs is the country’s first private train that the Railways introduced six years ago in the year 2019.
The train is operated and maintained by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and offers luxury travel at par with Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express.
Tejas Express – India’s first private train
Tejas Express operates on several crucial routes including New Delhi to Lucknow. Its first commercial run was on October 4, 2019, in just a month of operation, IRCTC witnessed an operational earning of approx Rs 7.73 lakh from this Tejas Express service.
However, traveling in Tejas Express is quite more expensive than other train services and even after five years, it continues to charge higher fares than the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express.
The IRCTC Tejas Express operating between New Delhi and Lucknow has two classes of seating – AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. Similarly, the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express trains also have the same seating options.
Whereas, the Rajdhani Express, being a long-distance train, offers only AC Sleeper classes.
What is so special about Tejas Express?
A report in Indian Express highlighted the features of the Tejas Express. It is a semi high speed train with modern comfort and luxury facilities for the passengers. The coaches are manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala.
“The newly designed coaches are capable of running at a speed of 200 km/h but due to constraints related to rail tracks these coaches will run at a speed of 160 km/h. Speed potential of 200 Kmph was achieved by providing Steel brake disc, Sintered pads, Electro-pneumatic assist Brake system,” the Ministry of Railways had said in a statement back in 2017.
Tejas Express, despite being a private train, attracts frequent reservation due to its comfort and speed.
Tejas Express ticket prices
To travel between New Delhi and Lucknow on the IRCTC Tejas Express, one has to pay Rs 1,679 for AC Chair Car and Rs 2,457 for Executive Chair Car. On the same route, the ticket price for the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express trains is Rs 1,255 for AC Chair Car, while Executive Chair Car fares are Rs 1,955 on the Shatabdi and Rs 2,415 on the Vande Bharat Express.
For Rajdhani Express (New Delhi–Dibrugarh), the AC Third Tier, AC Second Tier, and AC First Class accommodations come at charges Rs 1,590, Rs 2,105, and Rs 2,630 respectively for travel between New Delhi and Lucknow.