India’s first private train: Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express to run as ‘Sprite Tejas Express’

The Tejas Express, India's inaugural private train, will now be referred to as the Sprite Tejas Express. This semi-high-speed train, operated and maintained by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), was introduced in 2019. The train, which can reach speeds of up to 200 kmph, currently runs at a maximum speed of 160 kmph due to track restrictions. The coaches for the Tejas Express were manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab.

IRCTC has awarded advertising rights for the train number 82501/82502, Lucknow-New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express, to Sprite, a subsidiary of Coca-Cola India Private Limited. This deal includes train branding and vinyl wrapping. The train has been in operation from October 4, 2019, and is the first corporate train on the Indian Railways network, successfully running for seven years.

The Sprite Tejas Express will travel 512 km in 6 hours and 35 minutes, operating six days a week except on Tuesdays. It will stop at three stations: Ghaziabad, Tundla Junction, and Kanpur Central. The train departs New Delhi at 3:30 pm, reaching Lucknow Junction at 10:05 pm, and returns from Lucknow at 6:10 am, reaching New Delhi at 12:35 pm. Passengers can choose between Executive Chair Car (EC) and AC Chair Car (CC), with fares set at Rs 2,594 and Rs 2,205 respectively.