Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will flag off Third Mahamana Express on 22nd September, 2017 to run between Varanasi and Vadodara through video conferencing from Varanasi. On this occasion, Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal, Dy. Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Nitinbhai Patel will be present at Vadodara station, while Shri Manoj Sinha, Minister of State for Railways & Minister of Communications (Independent Charge) Govt. of India, will be present at Surat Railway station.

The train, in its inaugural service, will run as special train with the Train No. 09103 Vadodara – Varanasi Special and will depart from Vadodara on Friday, 22nd September, 2017 and reach Varanasi on Saturday, 23rd September, 2017.

Similarly, in return direction, the special trip with Train No. 09104 Varanasi – Vadodara Special will depart from Varanasi at 22.00 hrs on Saturday, 23rd September, 2017 and will reach Vadodara at 01.50 hrs on Monday, 25th September, 2017.

After the inaugural trip, a regular service from 27th September, 2017 onwards, Train No. 20903 Vadodara – Varanasi Weekly Superfast Mahamana Express will depart from Vadodara on every Wednesday at 19.40 hrs and will reach Varanasi at 22.20 hrs the next day. Similarly, in return direction w.e.f 29th September, 2017 onwards, Train No. 20904 Varanasi – Vadodara Weekly Superfast Mahamana Express will depart from Varanasi on every Friday at 06.10 hrs and will reach Vadodara at 09.40 hrs the next day. The train will halt at Bharuch, Surat, Amalner, Bhusaval, Itarsi, Jabalpur, Katni, Satna and Chheoki stations in both directions. The train will have I AC, II tier AC, Sleeper Class and II Class General Coaches.

The booking for the “inaugural run” of Train no. 09103 Vadodara – Varanasi Special train is already open with “immediate effect.”

For “regular run” of Train No. 20903 Vadodara – Varanasi Weekly Superfast Mahamana Express, the booking will open from “22nd September, 2017”.

Two Mahamana Express are already in service namely 22163/22164  Bhopal - Khajuraho Mahamana Express and 22417/22418 Varanasi New Delhi Mahamana Express.

 SALIENT FEATURES OF MAHAMANA EXPRESS

●       Modular Panels without visible screws and minimum maintenance hatches  inside passenger area for better safety and aesthetics

●       Use of superior material for panels in terms of toxicity index and fire retardation.

●       Ergonomically designed Ladders for climbing up to upper berths provided in all sleeper coaches.

●       Aesthetically appealing toilet modules provided with enhanced passenger amenities - big mirror, platform washbasin, controlled discharged water tap, odour control system, exhaust fan, LED lights, dustbin inside the toilet to name a few.

●       Shifting of electrical junction points from passenger area to non-passenger area in a centralised distribution board for enhanced safety.

●       Use of e-beam cables and polyamide conduits for enhanced electrical and fire safety.

●       Use of LED Lighting to enhance illumination & service durability while minimizing power consumption.

●       Enhanced scale of light fittings including berth reading lights in GSCN(Sleeper) Coaches and embarking light in all classes of coaches.

●       The scale of mobile/ laptop charging points have been increased in all classes of coaches.

●       LED based berth indicators cum night light for reserved coaches provided to assist passengers boarding train in night.

●       Provision of fire extinguisher in all coaches.

●       Provision of electrically operated chimney in Pantry Car.

●       Stainless steel panelling in Luggage Compartment.

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