Indian Railways, with its 173 years old saga has perfectly been considered as the ‘transport lifeline of the nation’. Founded in 8th may 1845, it is the fourth largest railway network in the world. This national transport provides relentless service to the citizens adding new features at times.Very frequently Indian citizens using rail as mode of conveyance, but still many may not have idea what a double-decker train is all about.
Double Decker Express trains are generally fully air-conditioned two-storeyed express trains. With high priority these are acknowledged among fast trains in India.
With another addition to the fleet, this year Indian Railways has launched Utkrisht Express, also known as Uday Express, is a fully air-conditioned double-decker express train. Being featured with Wi Fi-based infotainment system, automatic food vending machine, GPS-based passenger information system and diffused LED lighting this becomes popular amid the commuters.
According to a senior Railway official, this Make In India campaign’s Utkrisht Express has launched with an aim to provide better benefit in trains to lower sections and middle class passengers. All the facilities of this AC train can be enjoyed at the cost of even lower than Rs 600.
According to the Railway Minister, Piyush Goyal, “The positive response of the people in the double-decker AC train ‘Uday Express’ is very much exciting for Railways. With its state-of-the-art facilities (new technologies) for easy travel in less money, it will be rolled out on other routes soon.”
Here is the list of some more double-decker trains that run in India :
* Chennai-Bangalore Double Decker Express – is the first AC Double Decker train between Chennai Central and Bangalore City. With LHB coaches and the most powerful WAP-7 locomotive, this train ride is fast and safe.
* Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Madgaon AC Double Decker Express – runs at the maximum speed of 100 kmph. It connects Mumbai with Madgaon, Goa. This AC Double Decker Express was introduced in 2015.
* Lucknow – Anand Vihar junction Double Decker Express – is the ninth double decker train in India. Being introduced in the year 2015 as well, it runs twice a week i.e. on Fridays and Sundays from both ends.
*Jaipur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla AC Double Decker Express – is a superfast double decker express train under North Western Railways Zone of the Indian railways and it runs between Jaipur Junction and Delhi Sarai Rohilla station. This train completes its course of 303 kilometers in about 4.5 hours in both directions.
*The Visakhapatnam Tirupati Double Decker Express – is a superfast express train that runs between Tirupati and Visakhapatnam. With this South India has two more Double Decker Express trains. One is Guntur Kacheguda Double Decker Express in Telengana and the other one is Kacheguda Tirupati Double Decker Express train of Andhra Pradesh.
* Mumbai-Surat Flying Ranee Double Decker Express – is introduced in 1906 and is a non AC Double Decker Express trains that runs between Mumbai and Surat. It takes 4.40 hrs to cover its journey of 263 kilometres.
Howrah – Dhanbad Double Decker Express
Howrah-Dhanbad Double Decker Express is discontinued and considered as one of the most unsuccessful train in this route. This superfast train of Indian Railways was accommodated with LHB Coaches and regularly hauled by a WAP 7 Locomotive.
