Train-18 is now set to launch after tons of tests, trials, and safety clearances being done, it is believed that the Train-18 will have 40-50% increase in its fare compared to the Shatabdi Express.

Officials have approached the office of the Prime minister, they are asking some time for the launch by the Indian Prime Minister after the budget will be presented, it will be just a go sign from the PM and the trains will be on rail tracks. The first Train-18 is set to run from New Delhi to Varanasi.

Train-18 is an engineless train whose traction equipment is positioned below every bogie, they got the final clearance from the EIG (Electrical Inspector to the Government) on Thursday, and now “we have approached the PMO seeking time for the inaugural run of the train on the New Delhi-Varanasi route”.

Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said that the Train-18 is set to run from New Delhi and Varanasi, this will cover the 755km distance within just 8 hours, this includes stops at Prayagraj and Kanpur. This will make the Train-18 the fastest train on the route, as of now the fastest train takes 11 hours and 30 minutes to reach the destination, this will save passengers around 3 hours and 30 minutes in total.

Officials did give a hint about the price of the train fares, the officials said that it would be 40-50 percent higher than the Fares of the Shatabdi Express trains. So if we calculate it, the fares of the Train-18 would be around Rs.3000.

Train-18 is built by the ICF (Integral Coach Factory) that is located in Chennai, the train has gone through a lot of trials under the supervision of the RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation) in Lucknow. Officials say that the Train-18 is capable of traveling to a maximum speed of 200kmph.

The Train-18 runs on electric traction just like every metro train does, it will replace the Shatabdi Express next year.

In the Train-18, the EIG added a couple of new features to enhance the comfort  for the passengers, they have included inter-connected fully-sealed gangways, automatic doors with retractable footsteps, onboard Wi-Fi and infotainment, GPS-based passenger information system, modular toilets with bio-vacuum systems, rotational seats, roller blinds and diffused LED lighting and disabled-friendly toilets.