PM Modi To Flag Off Third Mahamana Express Train Today: 10 Things To Know
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a Mahamana Superfast Express train service between Vadodara (Gujarat) and Varanasi (UP) today. The Vadodara-Varanasi Mahamana Express will be the third. Two Mahamana Express are already in service – Bhopal- Khajuraho Mahamana Express and Varanasi New Delhi Mahamana Express. PM Modi will flag off the third Mahamana Express service through video conferencing from Varanasi, the Ministry of Railways said in a press release. The Mahamana Superfast Express series of trains sport LED lighting, more mobile/laptop charging points, modular panels, ergonomically designed ladders, enhanced safety features, among other features.
Here are 10 things to know about the Vadodara-Varanasi Mahamana Superfast Express:
Inaugural run: The train (No. 09103) will hail out of Vadodara on Friday and arrive at Varanasi on Saturday, the railways ministry noted in its press release. Similarly, the inaugural run (train No. 09104) will commence from Varanasi at 10.00 pm on Saturday reach Vadodara at 1:50 am on Monday.
While PM Modi will flag off the Vadodara-Varanasi Mahamana Express via video conferencing from Varanasi. Minister of Railways Piyush Goyal along with Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat Nitinbhai Patel will be present at the Vadodara station, the railways ministry added.
Minister of State for Railways & Minister of Communications (Independent Charge) Manoj Sinha will be present at the Surat station, it noted.
Regular operations: The Mahamana Superfast Express service from Vadodara to Varanasi will begin weekly operations from September 27, 2017. While the weekly Superfast Mahamana Express service will depart from Vadodara every Wednesday at 7:40 pm and reach Varanasi at 10:20 pm the next day, it will hail out of Varanasi every Friday at 6:10 am to arrive at Vadodara at 9:40 am the next day.
The Vadodara-Varanasi Mahamana Superfast Express service will comprise one First AC coach, two AC II-tier coaches, eight Sleeper Class coaches, four General Second Class coaches along with pantry car and luggage van coaches, according to Northern Railways, an arm of Indian Railways.
The Vadodara-Varanasi Mahamana Superfast Express train service will halt at Bharuch, Surat, Amalner, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna and Chheoki stations.
Bookings for the inaugural run of the new Mahamana Express began on Thursday while those for the regular service will commence from Friday.
The Mahamana Superfast Express was rolled out on the Varanasi-New Delhi route in January and the Bhopal-Khajuraho route in July.
Here are some of the features of the new Mahamana Superfast Express service:
Ergonomically designed Ladders for climbing up to upper berths provided in all sleeper coaches.
Aesthetically appealing toilet modules provided with enhanced passenger amenities – big mirror, platform washbasin, controlled discharged water tap, odour control system, exhaust fan, LED lights, dustbin inside the toilet
Use of LED Lighting to enhance illumination & service durability while minimizing power consumption
Enhanced scale of light fittings including berth reading lights in GSCN(Sleeper) Coaches and embarking light in all classes of coaches
The scale of mobile/ laptop charging points have been increased in all classes of coaches.
Provision of electrically operated chimney in Pantry Car
Stainless steel panelling in Luggage Compartment
Modular Panels without visible screws and minimum maintenance hatches inside passenger area for better safety and aesthetics
Use of superior material for panels in terms of toxicity index and fire retardation
Shifting of electrical junction points from passenger area to non-passenger area in a centralised distribution board for enhanced safety
Use of e-beam cables and polyamide conduits for enhanced electrical and fire safety
LED based berth indicators cum night light for reserved coaches provided to assist passengers boarding train in night
Provision of fire extinguisher in all coaches
