Why Is Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express Now Called ‘Sprite Tejas Express’?
India's first private train, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express, will now run as 'Sprite Tejas Express' after IRCTC awarded its six-month advertising rights to Coca-Cola's Sprite brand. Five coaches will get vinyl wrapping, and the train will be announced under its new name at all stations along the 512 km route between Delhi and Lucknow.
India's first private train, the Lucknow-Delhi Tejas Express, will now run under the name "Sprite Tejas Express" after IRCTC awarded the train's advertising rights to Coca-Cola India's Sprite brand. Introduced in 2019, the train is operated and maintained by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation and has been running successfully on the network for the past seven years.
About The Tejas Express
The Tejas Express is a semi-high-speed train equipped with modern onboard facilities designed to offer passengers a more comfortable journey, said reports. Its coaches are manufactured at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab, and are capable of running at speeds of up to 200 kmph, though track-related restrictions currently limit the train to a maximum operating speed of 160 kmph. Fly Found in Passenger’s Meal on Tejas Express, IRCTC Fines Caterer INR 1 Lakh.
The Sprite Branding Deal
Speaking to Indianexpress.com, a senior IRCTC official confirmed the development, stating that IRCTC has awarded the advertising rights for train number 82501/02 Lucknow-New Delhi-Lucknow Tejas Express, including train branding and vinyl wrapping, to M/s Sprite, a unit of Coca-Cola India Private Limited. The official noted that IRCTC has been operating the Tejas Express since October 4, 2019, making it the first corporate train to run on the Indian Railways network.
As per the letter of acceptance issued by IRCTC, M/s Sprite will carry out advertising activities on the Tejas Express for a period of six months. During this time, vinyl wrapping featuring Sprite advertisements will be applied to five coaches of the train, and it will be announced as the "Sprite Tejas Express" at all stations along its route, the official said. ‘Found an Insect in Vande Bharat Train Food’: IRCTC Slaps INR 10 Lakh Fine on Vande Bharat Caterer After Passenger Finds Insect in Meal (See Pics and Video).
Sprite Tejas Express: Distance, Travel Time And Frequency
The Sprite Tejas Express will cover a distance of 512 km in 6 hours and 35 minutes. The train operates six days a week, remaining off the schedule only on Tuesdays.
Sprite Tejas Express: Stoppages
During its journey between New Delhi and Lucknow, the Sprite Tejas Express will make three stops, at Ghaziabad, Tundla Junction and Kanpur Central.
Sprite Tejas Express: Timings And Ticket Price
Train number 82502 Sprite Tejas Express departs from New Delhi at 3:30 pm and reaches Lucknow Junction at 10:05 pm. In the return direction, train number 82501 leaves Lucknow at 6:10 am and reaches New Delhi at 12:35 pm.
The train offers two seating classes, Executive Chair Car and AC Chair Car, priced at INR 2,594 and INR 2,205 respectively.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 11:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
