The Duronto rakes comprise ICF coaches used in the Rajdhanis and Garib Raths earlier. The Garib Raths had AC III-tier coaches that could accommodate more passengers than usual.

Each Duronto coach is 24 metres long, compared to the regular coach length of 22.3 metres. The distance between coaches is less too - 460 mm instead of the regular 960 mm.

Besides safety and hygiene features like dustbins and fire extinguishers, the coaches have sleeker designs for bottle holders and switches, mobile charging points, sliding transparent doors between coaches, and LED night lamps instead of regular fluorescent lights.

The train is built of stainless steel, which is lighter, anti-corrosive and more durable than the conventional 'cotton steel'. An important safety feature is the central buffer couplers whose enhanced load capacity makes the train derailment-proof.

The fare structure, including the cost of food, will be Rs.3,295 for AC first-class, Rs.1,880 for AC two-tier, Rs.1,390 for AC three-tier and Rs.1,335 for AC three-tier economy class.

'Indian Railways is the most grassroots organisation. Thus, we've not increased the fare structure keeping in mind the interests of poor and middle-class people who travel by train,' the minister said.

She also pointed out the Indian Railways was also mulling various long-term and short-term policies to improve the existing passenger amenities.

'We must develop our facilities available with the railways to facilitate women, senior citizens and physically challenged passengers,' she said.