Railways decide to handover Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express to private operators

For the first time in the history of the Indian Railways, a private player will be roped in to run two special trains as per the 100-day agenda announced by the railway authorities. Reportedly, one of these trains will be the Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express.
According to the news reports, the proposal by the railways to give two trains to private operators, keen on being a part of the bidding process, has been unwelcomed by the railway unions throughout India.

The Tejas Express was brought on tracks by the Indian Railways in 2016, but it was only lately that the superfast luxury train was added to the new time table. Meanwhile, the IRCTC has been told to submit the confirmed proposal by July 10 to the Railway Board.

A senior railway official told the press that the two trains will be given to the private operators on a trial basis. The officials are hoping to run one of the trains within the coming 100 days. The plan was to ascertain routes that have minimum congestion and link significant tourist destinations. The officials are yet to figure the other train that shall be given to private operators.

Meanwhile, the Tejas Express meant for Delhi-Lucknow route has been parked at the Anandnagar Railway Station in Uttar Pradesh. It will be given to the private operators once the open bidding process for operationalisation is over. There are 53 trains that are plying on the Delhi-Lucknow route currently; however, the route is not connected by a Rajdhani train. The Swarn Shatabdi is very popular on this route as it takes only 6.5 hours to reach its destination.