In a plan to increase the speed of all the long-distance passenger trains by 2022, Railways has decided to replace Shatabdi Express Trains. These trains will be replaced by semi-high speed ‘Train 18’, which will be rolled out soon.
Few features of these trains are as follows —
1- The trains will be provided with state-of-the-art facilities including LED TV screens, LED lighting system, GPS and infotainment.
2- They are built under the ‘Make in India’ initiative at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai.
3- These trains are self-propelled trains, designed to reduce travel time and enhance passenger experience.
4- Zero discharge vacuum based bio-toilets, sealed gangways, roller blinds and divyang-friendly toilets will also be available in these trains.
5- These trains will have a stainless steel body.
As per the latest updates, Indian Railways will start testing the ‘Train 18’ from September. After a thorough trial, the new train is expected to be rolled out.
Initially, 6 such trains will be built, but later the ICF could enhance the production. Apart from Train 18, the Railways will also roll out Train 20 by 2020.
