7 Plus Things You Need To Know About India's Fastest Train Gatimaan Express That Takes To The Tracks In March 2016

By the end of this financial year (March 2016), India's fastest train, Gatimaan Express, will start operating between New Delhi- Agra Cantt stations, claimed Arun Saxena, General Manager of North Central Railway.  

Speed

In a June 2015 test, it clocked a maximum of 160+ kmph.

Late by only 10 minutes on only 1 trial run out of 6

"In all its trial runs, semi high speed Gatimaan has successfully achieved the set parameters and we can now start the operations by the end of financial year," Saxena said. Till now, the railway has done six trail runs. The recent one was on June 2 in which the train was late by 10 minutes from its proposed time of completing the 195 km long journey in 105 minutes (one hour 25 minutes). Currently, with two minutes of halt at Mathura station, Bhopal Habibganj Shatabdi Express takes two hours six minutes to reach Agra from New Delhi. 

Specs

5,400HP electric locomotive, 12 modern coaches

Beating the current fastest train

The current fastest train, Bhopal Shatabdi, takes 2 hours six minutes to travel from New Delhi station to Agra Cantt station, a 195 km route. Gatiman Express will do this trip in about 1 hour 45 minutes.

Fare

One side fare of air-conditioned chair car between the two destinations has been fixed at Rs 690, while a passenger will be required to spend Rs 1,365 for the executive class. For Shatabadi, a passenger is required to Rs 540 for chair car, and Rs 1,040 for executive class. 

Timing

The train will cover its journey from Agra at 5.30 pm and reach Delhi at 7.15 pm. On the opposite side, it will start from Delhi at 8 am and reach Agra by 9.45 am.

Its pilots will have psychological and medical examination 

Railways will conduct psychological and medical examination to select top loco pilots in the country to ensure Gatiman Express becomes the safest and fastest mode of travel in the country. The test, which will be conducted by Research Designs and Standards Organization (RDSO), will assess loco pilots' ability to maintain their focus and decision-making under stress. A select group of loco pilots, around 14 in number, from across the country will undergo the test. The loco pilots chosen to take the test belong to the A1 category. In other words, these train drivers are considered to be among the best in the country. 

Inputs from TNN