IRCTC's third private train to run from February 20: What's special about it?

New Delhi : Indian Railways is all set to give a green signal to its third private train that will begin its services on February 20 this year.

After giving green signals to two Tejas Trains, IRCTC will be flagging off its third train that will run between Indore and Varanasi.

The train has been named as Kashi Mahakal Express and it is a complete AC coach train which will operate three days a week.

What makes it special is the fact that it will be the first private train that will be doing an overnight journey. Currently both the Tejas Express trains operated by the IRCTC return to their point of origin on the same day.

The inaugural run of the train has been scheduled for February 20, one day before the holy festival Shivratri.

The coaches in the train are expected to come with comfortable seats LED lights, CCTV cameras for the safety and security of the passengers and will also come with multiple mobile charging points.

The decision to run a private train on the Indore-Varanasi route was first announced by Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on 12 January.

What is the concept of private trains?

In the private trains under IRCTC, infrastructure, maintenance, operations and safety will be handled by the Indian Railways. While private train operators take the coaches on lease and provide better on board experience and services to passengers, in terms of food, comfort, entertainment, among others.

In fact, the railways' move to let private companies run passenger trains has attracted more than two dozen firms, including global majors Alstom Transport, Bombardier, Siemens AG and Macquarie.