Flag Off and Service Details
The Sprite Tejas Express was flagged off on 21 August 2026 by senior leadership of Indian Railways, IRCTC and Coca‑Cola India. The service will run on the Lucknow–New Delhi–Lucknow corridor for a six‑month period starting August 2026, comprising five coaches fully branded with the Sprite logo on the exterior.
On‑board Experience
Passengers will receive Sprite as part of the food bundle, along with complimentary Sprite samples and branded merchandise. The train also incorporates a collaboration with the food brand Wow! Momo, extending the Sprite‑led experience.
Sustainability Initiatives
At stations, benches made from recycled plastic will be installed, each bench repurposing approximately 45 kg of post‑consumer packaging waste. The flag‑off ceremony featured an official flag constructed from repurposed PET bottles, demonstrating the use of discarded materials in functional elements.
Executive Comments
Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development, Coca‑Cola India & Southwest Asia, said the partnership marks an innovative milestone for travel experiences in India and aligns with Coca‑Cola’s strategy to build long‑term customer relationships across the travel ecosystem. Ajit Kumar Sinha, Chief Regional Manager, Lucknow Division, IRCTC, stated that the association brings an established consumer brand into the premium train service to make journeys more engaging for passengers.
About Coca‑Cola India
Coca‑Cola India operates a network of over six million retail outlets and offers a portfolio that includes Coca‑Cola, Thums Up, Fanta, Sprite, and other beverages. The company emphasizes sustainability through water and packaging initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and emission reductions across its value chain.