Indian Railways to give trains Rajdhani Express type makeover; get set for a big surprise
Railway Board has chalked out modifications plan that will include vinyl wrapping of the coaches, equipping coaches with fire extinguishers, information posters, braille signage, changing of the torn seats and compressed cushioned seats. Further, the plan reportedly includes dustbins inside coaches, and adequate maintenance along with inspection in every two hours for on-board cleanliness.
Indian Railways has decided to refurbish coaches of 140 rakes, running on 132 (66 pairs) routes across the country, on the pattern of Rajdhani Express within a year, to provide the best facilities to travellers on these trains, said a DNA India report, which added that of the total, 11 rakes would be modified on 12 routes of Mumbai Central Railway, and 20 rakes on 14 routes of Mumbai Western Railway. Following the Railway Board's approval on April 3, meetings took place, and officials have reportedly started initial work from this month. "We want to provide amenities to passengers which they would enjoy only in trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi. We have included these 140 rakes under 'Project Utkrisht'," R Gupta, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board, who is the top official to decide on rakes and locomotives, told the DNA India.
The report citing sources said that Railway Board has chalked out modifications plan that will include vinyl wrapping of the coaches, equipping coaches with fire extinguishers, information posters, braille signage, changing of the torn seats and compressed cushioned seats. Further, the plan reportedly includes dustbins inside coaches, and adequate maintenance along with inspection in every two hours for on-board cleanliness.
A senior Railway official, however, told DNA India, "By June, we will start uploading Google sheet that shall be directly monitored by the Railway Board. All the 140 rakes will be refurbished at a cost of Rs 60 lakh each by March 2019."
The coaches of long distance trains are being replaced with LHB ones from those manufactured at Integral Coach Factory, said the report, adding that these LHB coaches are attached in premiere trains including Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express.
A senior CR official said, "The modification of both the trains will begin soon. Deccan Queen will be ready by August 15," adding that Modification work on the LTT-Madgaon double decker express will also complete by December 2018.
It may be noted that among the measures being taken for cleanliness include GPS tagged attendance of staff, cleaning of toilets every two hours, garbage bag in dustbins and its regular cleaning. While the coach interiors would have single colour rexine for seats and torn ones to be replaced, toilet indication would be provided in AC coaches besides having curtains and fire extinguishers inside these coaches.
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The cleanliness of toilets would reportedly get a special attention and the measures include proper ventilation and auto janitor inside to avoid foul odour, improved flushing valves along with LED lights inside.
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