In pics: Gatimaan Express flagged off, heralds a new era of semi-high speed trains in India

Heralding a new era of semi-high speed trains in the country, Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Tuesday (April 5) flagged off India's fastest train, the Gatimaan Express, which will cover the 200 km distance between Delhi and Agra in 100 minutes.

Train hostesses welcomed passengers with roses on board the Gatimaan Express, which will have a maximum speed of 160 km per hour, as music floated in the air at Nizamuddin station from where the train embarked on its maiden journey.

Painted in royal blue and grey colour combination with a yellow strip in between, the train has another first - train hostesses to welcome passengers and Indian and continental food.

Here are the images of India's most awaited train Gatimaan Express:

Gatimaan Express flagged off

Equipped with a 5,500 HP electric locomotive, two Executive AC Chair Cars and eight AC Chair Car coaches, the train has a high-power emergency braking system, automatic fire alarm, GPS-based passenger information system and sliding doors in the coaches.

Suresh Prabhu, Meenakshi Lekhi flag off train

Union Minister Suresh Prabhu and BJP MP from Delhi Meenakshi Lekhi flag off train.

Train decorated with garlands, balloons

Aiming at attracting tourits visiting the City of Taj, the Gatiman Express will run at a maximum speed of 160 km per hour covering the 200 km long distance in 100 minutes.

Gatiman Express will run six days a week

The 12050 Nizamuddin-Agra-Nizamuddin Gatiman Express will run six days a week, except on Fridays, in both the directions.

Free Wi-Fi hot-spots in train

Hotspot devices have been installed at coaches to enable passengers to access multimedia services free of cost directly on their smartphones, tablets or laptops.

Enhanced passenger amenities in train

The passenger amenities have been enhanced by providing better catering service, improved coach interiors with wide windows, bio-toilets besides free multimedia services enabling passengers to view movies, news and cartoons during their journey to Agra.

Photographs of tourist spots in around Agra adorn coaches

Photographs of tourist spots in around Agra adorn the coaches.