Travel on Tejas trains to be costlier than Shatabdi

(with pix) New Delhi, Jul 10 (PTI) Passengers will have to cough up20 to 30 per cent more than the existing fares of premierShatabdi Express to travel by the Tejas trains which will havecommercial airlines-like services like calling bell buttons tosummon coach attendants and LCD screens on ergonomicallydesigned seats. Besides choicest cuisine and wi-fi facility, there willbe toilet engagement boards on the train whose interior colourscheme will match the exterior to give Tejas passengers thefeel of world class travel. Tejas train will be equipped with many modern facilitiessome of which are the first for the Indian Railway, said asenior Railway Ministry official. The official said since the service will be of highquality, the fare will also have to be more than the existingstructure, but refused to quantify it. Though the decision about the fare has not been takenyet, it is likely to be 20 to 30 per cent higher than those ofShatabdi, he added. Tejas trains are likely to be introduced on Delhi-Lucknowroute for day-long journey. These trains will have executiveclass and chair cars. The exterior of the coaches will have a rising sun motifagainst golden background. Besides the improved aesthetics, Tejas coaches will beequipped with 22 new features including entertainment LCDscreens for each passenger along with headphone socket. LCDscreens will also be used for disseminating passenger-relatedinformation and safety instructions. There will be water level indicators in bio-vaccuumtoilets, sensorised taps and hand driers. Tejas coaches willalso have integrated braille displays, besides tea, coffee andcold drink vending machines, magazines and snack tables, theofficial said. Tejas coaches, being readied at Rail Coach Factory atKapurthala, will be equipped with CCTVs, fire and smokedetection and suppression system. PTI ARU SKAAR