Tejas Express set to make journey from Mumbai to Goa; Suresh Prabhu inspects high-speed premium train

New Delhi: Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday inspected Tejas Express, three days ahead of the high-speed premium train is set to make its first run from Mumbai to Goa.

Prabhu inspected the new coaches of Tejas Express and told reporters, "We have announced about it (Tejas Express) in our 2016-17 Budget, and we are happy to deliver it."

The first of the Tejas brand of trains, equipped with modern facilities, will run from Mumbai to Goa on May 22.

Tejas Express, which will run at a speed of 130 kmph, has coaches equipped with automatic doors, Wi-Fi, and LCD screens. The coaches have been manufactured at the Indian Coach Factory in Chennai.

The 20-coach new premium train will run five days a week between Mumbai and Karmali in Goa, and will also have executive class and chair class with the coaches having tea and coffee vending machines, magazines and snacks tables.

The Tejas Express also offers assistance through Braille for visually challenged passengers.

The coaches also include other novel features like touchless water taps, water level indicators, and hand dryers.

All coaches will have bio-vacuum toilets.

According to Railway Ministry officials, the train will also have Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras for security purposes.

A new highlight of the train is the automatic entrance plug-type doors which provide better sound and heat insulation, and secured gangways that reduce sound levels, dirt, sand, water ingress, adding to passenger safety and comfort.

The train also boasts enhanced safety measures like fire and smoke detection and suppression system and fire suppression system in the power car.

For passengers, the coaches have GPS-based passenger information display system and digital destination boards.

(With IANS inputs)