- Year
- 2016
- Period
- Semi-High-Speed Railway Era
- Importance
- Gatimaan demonstrated 160 km/h passenger operation on Indian Railways and became an important stepping stone toward faster modern train services.
On 5 April 2016, Indian Railways launched Gatimaan Express between Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi and Agra Cantt.
The train was officially described as India's first semi-high-speed train and was capable of operating at a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
Gatimaan used LHB coaches suitable for higher-speed operation and was hauled by an electric locomotive.
Along with faster journey times, the train introduced improved onboard passenger services and amenities.
Its introduction demonstrated that selected Indian railway corridors could support faster passenger operation and became an important milestone in the progression from conventional express trains toward modern semi-high-speed trainsets.
Only three years later, this evolution would take another significant step with the introduction of Vande Bharat Express.