Ahmedabad: The long awaited semi-high speed and fully air-conditioned Tejas Express made its maiden journey today from Ahmedabad to Mumbai in a celebratory function at Ahmedabad. The train was flagged off by Chief Minister of Gujarat Shri Vijaybhai Rupani. Though his name was mentioned in a press release and also on the stage as Special guest, Railway minister Piyush Goyal was absent in the inaugural function.

Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Rupani said Gujarat has witnessed start of 118 new trains so far since 2014. This includes the train originating from Gujarat and also the train that pass through the State. Rupani said total 2161 km new railway lines works are in progress at present in Gujarat.

Tejas will operate for 6 days in week. It will not operate on Thursdays for maintenance purpose. All 56 seats in executive class have LED screens. The train has also auto censor dustbin, CCTV, fire safety system. The train offers on board shopping facility. In case of cold, the senior citizens and children will also be provided blankets.

Tejas has 10 coaches including 9 AC chair car coaches and 1 executive coach. Two executive chair cars have 112 seats (56 in each). 8 chair car coaches have 624 seats (78 in each). In total 736 passengers will be able to travel in this train at one go. The uniforms of train hosts and hostesses will have glimpse of Gujarat’s culture.

The regular services of Train No. 82902/82901 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express will commence from 19th January, 2020 and will run six days a week except o­n Thursdays. Train No. 82902 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express will depart from Ahmedabad at 6.40 hrs and will reach Mumbai Central at 13.10 hrs o­n the same day. In return direction, Train No. 82901 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Tejas Express will depart from Mumbai Central at 15.40 hrs and will reach Ahmedabad at 21.55 hrs o­n the same day.

The train will halt at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali stations in both directions. The train will have AC Executive Chair Car Class and AC Chair Car coaches. Meals will be served by o­n-board service staff in Ahmedabad-Mumbai Central Tejas Express. Tea and coffee vending machines will be available in the train. Water will be provided o­n demand through RO machines for passengers. Tejas Express contains all the modern facilities with the state-of-art interior, personalised reading lights, AC coaches, mobile charging points, CCTV cameras, bio-toilets, LED TV, automatic doors and many more.

According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, Ministry of Railways has accorded approval for introduction of new Tejas Express between Ahmedabad and Mumbai Central which will run six days a week (except Thursday) with its inaugural run o­n Friday, 17thJanuary, 2020 and the regular service will commence from 19thJanuary, 2020. The train in its inaugural service ran with the Train No. 09426 Ahmedabad – Mumbai Central Tejas Express and departed from Ahmedabad at 10.30 hrs. It reached Mumbai Central at 16.45 hrs. Similarly, in the return direction, the train will run with the Train No. 09425 Mumbai Central – Ahmedabad Tejas Expressand will depart from Mumbai Central at 17.15 hrs o­n Friday, 17th January, 2020 to reach Ahmedabad at 23.30 hrs o­n the same day. The train halts at Nadiad, Vadodara, Bharuch, Surat, Vapi and Borivali stations in both directions. The train has AC Chair Car Executive Class and AC Chair Car coaches.