India’s first ‘private, branded’ train, launched by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) between Lucknow and Delhi, will run as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express.
Political Context
The much publicised IRCTC’s own fully air-conditioned superfast train is equipped with modern facilities. “This is the first time that a train is being named after a brand. Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express, India’s ‘first private train’ flagged off The country’s first private train was flagged off by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on December 3, 2021. Group booking is allowed in the train where passengers travelling in groups to attend corporate meetings, marriages, social events, etc., could book an entire AC Chair Car coach having 78 seats.
It has an extensive on-board food/beverage and infotainment services, the IRCTC said. Though the Lucknow-Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express is a private train, IRCTC pays Indian Railways hauling charges, which includes the use of its infrastructure, such as tracks, railway stations, etc.,” a senior Railways official said.
