Mahamana Express | |
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![]() New Delhi-Varanasi Mahamana Express | |
Overview | |
Status | Active |
First service | 22 January 2016 [1] |
Current operator(s) | Indian Railways |
Website | http://indianrail.gov.in |
On-board services | |
Class(es) | AC 1st Class, 2 Tier, 3 Tier and Sleeper |
Seating arrangements | Yes |
Sleeping arrangements | Yes |
Catering facilities | On-board catering |
Entertainment facilities | Electric outlets Reading Lights & Curtains (In some classes) |
Baggage facilities | Underseat / Overhead racks |
Other facilities | Bedrolls (In 1A, 2A, 3A classes only) Passenger Information System |
Technical | |
Rolling stock | ICF rakes (Modified Interiors) |
Track gauge | 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in) broad gauge |
Track owner(s) | Indian Railways |
Mahamana Express is a superfast express series trains operated by Indian Railways in India. Initially it was started using ICF coaches with substantially improved facilities as compared to other superfast express trains in India. As of October 2024, only two Mahamana Express services use the original upgraded ICF coaches. The others have been converted to regular LHB coaches as in most other trains in India. [2] [3]
This train is named in the honour of Madan Mohan Malaviya (Mahamana), a freedom fighter and an education reformer who established Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. [4]
Mahamana Express was launched in 2016 with improved facilities for passengers compared to other superfast express trains in India. The first Mahamana Express connected Delhi and Varanasi. The first run saw a 15% hike in fare due to the upgraded facilities. [3] [5]
The train was introduced with Model Rakes modified by Indian Railways under Make In India scheme. The coaches contain some modern facilities like: [6]
Number | Route | First Run | Rake |
---|---|---|---|
22417/18 | Varanasi - New Delhi Mahamana Express | 22 January 2016 | LHB |
22163/64 | Bhopal - Khajuraho Mahamana Express | 13 July 2017 | ICF |
20903/04 | Ekta Nagar - Varanasi Mahamana Express | 22 September 2017 | LHB |
20905/06 | Ekta Nagar - Rewa Mahamana Express | 09 March 2019 | LHB |
19319/20 | Veraval - Indore Mahamana Express | 29 June 2018 [7] | LHB |
19333/34 | Indore - Bikaner Mahamana Express | 26 January 2019 [8] | LHB |