Railways erects 50-km barbed wire fencing to secure tracks for Gatimaan Express

Agra: In its bid to ensure safety and punctuality of the country's first semi-high speed train Gatimaan Express, Indian Railways has erected about 50km of barbed wire fences and walls at vulnerable zones of the high-speed corridor. The barriers have been installed to stave off stray animals from crossing the track.

North Central Railway spokesperson Bijay Kumar said, "The stretch between Palwal Station (outer) and Agra Cantonment Station, a 138km-long route, has been cordoned off at various points."

In March, Railway Board president A K Mittal had said the launch of the train was being delayed because barriers were yet to be put up along the route. The barricading of the Gatimaan route will ensure that animals don't get overrun and there is no disruption in train services.

NCR general manager Arun Saxena on Wednesday announced that Gatimaan Express will start operating between New Delhi- Agra cantt stations by the end of this financial year, i.e. March 2016. His announcement came after the commissioner of railway safety (CSR) of North Eastern Railways gave his approval to start the train on October 27.

However, the CSR of Northern Railways is yet to give its approval.

The train will cover its journey from Agra at 5.30 pm and reach Delhi at7.15 pm. On the opposite side, it will start from Delhi at 8 am and reach Agra by 9.45 am. The running schedule of the train as well as the fares have already been decided by the railway authorities.

According to railway, one side fare of air-conditioned chair car between the two destinations has been fixed at Rs 690, while a passenger will be required to spend Rs 1,365 for the executive class.

For Shatabadi, a passenger is required to Rs 540 for chair car, and Rs 1,040 for executive class.