Narendra Modi likely to flag off Delhi-Agra 160 kmph train next month

New Delhi: Gatimaan Express, the first semihigh-speed train service between Delhi and Agra which would  touch speeds of up to 160kmph, is likely to be launched by  Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the second week of June.  

The trials of the semi-high speed train have already been  conducted twice on the 200-km-long tracks between the two  destinations and awaited now is the mandatory clearance from  the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS).  

"The clearance from CRS is expected any time and we are  gearing up to launch the train by June 9," said a senior rail  ministry official.  Equipped with a 5,400HP electric locomotive and 12 modern  coaches, the train will run at a maximum speed of 160 kmph and  is expected to cover the 200-km distance in about 105 minutes.  

Railways is celebrating Modi government's completion of  one year in office with a fortnight of programmes from May 26  to June 9.  The official said plans are afoot to have the Prime  Minister flag off the train here on June 9 depending on his  calendar.  

Asked about the time that is being taken up for the  launch of the train, he said that CRS had raised certain  concerns over the service which have now been addressed.  While the tracks have been fenced off at certain places,  signalling system has been upgraded along the route to be  taken by the semi high-speed train.  

The train also comes with extra features such as  emergency braking system, automatic fire alarm along with the  passenger information system and sliding doors inside the  coaches.  The fare for Gatimaan Express will be 25 per cent more  than what a Shatabdi passenger has to pay.  Railways has chalked out nine more routes for running  similar trains, including Kanpur-Delhi, Chandigarh-Delhi,  Hyderabad-Chennai, Nagpur-Bilaspur, Goa-Mumbai and  Nagpur-Secunderabad.