The much talked about Tejas Express, flagged off by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday ended its first journey at Mumbai CST in a deplorable state.
Passengers allegedly thrashed the LCD screens on the seats and stole the headphones provided. A senior railway official told that “at least a dozen headphones” were missing from the train after Monday’s journey. He also said a couple of LED screens had scratch marks on them.
The train was flagged off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus on Monday and returned from Goa on Tuesday.
The Central Railway’s chief public relations officer, Narendra Patil, confirmed the railway staff reported that “a few headphones” were missing from the train after Monday’s journey.
“The headphones were distributed just after the journey commenced. There wasn’t an announcement to return the headphones because we expected passengers to not carry them away, just like they don’t take away pillows and blankets,” said Mr. Patil.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said, “Tejas will redefine train travel experience in India.” The Executive Class fare in Tejas has been fixed at Rs. 2,540 without food and Rs. 2,940 with food. The Chair Car fare is Rs. 1,850 with food and Rs. 1,220 without food.
“After Humsafar, Antyodaya, Deen Dayalu it is now Tejas, all of which were promised in the previous budget. It is a high speed train with modern facilities on board, enhanced passenger comfort, and attractive exterior,” Prabhu said.
