New Delhi: In a welcome step by the Indian railways, 20 ‘Aircraft Like' coaches with state-of-the-art facilities will soon be part of one of the world's largest railway networks. Designed by the Indian Coaches Rehabilitation Workshop in Bhopal, these coaches will be like none you have witnessed before.
Moving away from the boring shades of blue and brown that dominate the interiors of train coaches; the fresh inductees don a catchy purple shade. The revamped coaches will have plush interiors, bio-toilets and even stairs to climb to the upper berth.
In order to provide more comfortable and safe journey to passengers, these coaches are jerk-free and also have fire-proof seats. Aimed to give uncompromising comfort, these coaches will have carpet-like floors, LED reading lights, mobile charging points and an eco-friendly ‘bio-toilet' system.
The coaches will be first introduced on ISO certified trains and Rajdhani Expresses.
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“We have spent around Rs. 14 lakh on each coach. The interiors are not unlike that of an aircraft with modern seats and other facilities. We will be revamping three more trains. As far as inducting them is concerned, that will happen only after railway ministry clears them,” said Ramesh Chandra, General Manager of West Central Railways.
Brajesh Pandey, a chartered accountant and a frequent traveller, said, “Over the years railways has been hiking fares but in terms of facilities it has not been able to deliver. It's good to learn about the modern coaches. I am proud that they are not only made in India but made in Madhya Pradesh.”
A total of 111 coaches are to be manufactured by the workshop in Bhopal. The test run for 20 coaches has been successful and the plan is to send them to Delhi for approval by the Railway Ministry, after minor changes.
