TRAIN 18 TO BE LAUNCHED BETWEEN NEW DELHI-VARANASI SOON

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Context :

  • India’s fastest Train 18 will soon start its services between Delhi and Varanasi.
  • The train which will run at a speed of 160 kilometre per hour will reduce the journey time between the two cities from the present 11 hours and 30 minutes to 8 hours.

Train 18 :

  • It is capable of touching 200 kmph provided the rest of Indian Railways’ system such as tracks and signals permit. It will be replacing current 30- year-old Shatabdi Express – a day train. Thus, it is touted as next generation Shatabdi Express.
  • It will be first long-distance train without separate locomotive (engine).
  • It has been indigenously developed by Chennai based Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in just short time span of 18 months. It took investment of nearly Rs 100 crore to build this prototype and subsequent bulk production will bring down the cost.
  • Thus, it will be cheaper compared to imported engine less train. With 16 coaches, it will have same passenger carrying capacity as that of Shatabdi Express.
  • It has aerodynamically designed driver cabins at both ends for quicker turn-around at destinations. It sports advanced regenerative braking system which saves power.
  • It is fully air-conditioned and offers better passenger comfort and safety, as all equipment are fixed under carriage, so that more space is available on board. It has soft lighting, automatic doors, footsteps and GPS-based Passenger Information System (PIS).
  • It also has onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, and modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems. Footstep in coach’s doorway in this train slides outward when train stops at station, enabling passengers to board or deboard safely with comfort.
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