Tejas Express, which has been dubbed as an airplane on rail track, seems to have had a rather forgettable maiden journey. The Mumbai-Goa train returned with LED screens smashed and toilets soiled. Passengers reportedly stole headphones and tried to take out TV screens, in process damaging some screens.
The train — that covers more than 600 kilometers in less than nine hours — is plush with state-of-the-art amenities such as LCD TVs, WiFi, CCTVs, headphones, tea and coffee vending machines, bio-vacuum toilets and sensor-based touchless water taps. It can run at the speed of 200 km per hour.
Multiple media reports said about 12 “high quality” headphones were stolen and a few of the LCD TVs installed had scratches on them. The headphones and LCD screens are part of Indian Railways' mission to make the rail journey an attractive proposition for passengers.
Indian railways introduces Tejas Express capable to run 200 kmph, has comfortable seats,LED lights, infotainment screen, wifi and much more. pic.twitter.com/nePzp2jSRN— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) May 21, 2017
The train, flagged off by Rail Minister Suresh Prabhu from Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on Monday, returned from Goa on Tuesday.
LCD screen on board Tejas Express. PTI Photo
The railways is zapped by passenger behaviour as they expected them to return the headsets after the journey, instead of pocketing them. In long-distance trains such as Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express, passengers return pillows and blankets and the railways had expected them to leave headphones intact.
The railways now plans to sensitise passengers on etiquette and urge them to refrain from misusing the amenities on-board Tejas Express.
Tejas Express at A Glance
Route — Mumbai-Goa
Travel Time — 9 hours
Distance — 600 km
Amenities — LCD TVs, WiFi, CCTVs, headphones, tea & coffee vending machines, bio-vacuum toilets and sensor-based touchless water taps
No. of Seats — 992; chair car and executive class
Ticket cost — Rs 1,185-Rs 2,940
Frequency — 5 days a week
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