Railway Ministry to upgrade services of Rajdhani & Shatabdi trains; to introduce infotainment screens like Tejas Express

Highlights: 

1. Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express and Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express have been selected for upgradation for first phase 

2. The Railway Ministry in total will take 30 trains fore upgradation which will cost approximately Rs 25 crore 

3. The upgradation will include refurbishing of coach interiors, comfortable seats, improved sanitation infrastructure, among others 

In a move to provide quality service to passengers travelling on long-distance trains, the government will soon improvise facilities provided in its Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, NDTV reported. 

As part of  the Railway Ministry's 'Operation Swarn', enhanced catering, on-board entertainment and improved services are part of the makeover plan for these air-conditioned superfast trains, it said. 

In its first phase, the Railway Ministry has selected the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express and Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express for upgradation.

According to the report, work on the proposed changes for 30 trains - 15 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi - at an estimated cost of Rs 25 crore will start from September 26 this year. 

In the past few years, passengers have complained that the service and quality of food have deteriorated while cleanliness leaves a lot to be desired, cited the report. 

The report further said the three-month programme of revamping these trains will include refurbishing of coach interiors, comfortable seats, improved sanitation infrastructure and maintenance of cleanliness in coaches.

Following entertainment services provided in its recently introduced Tejas Express train, the Railway Ministry will offer such entertainment services in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.

ALSO READ: WATCH: Tejas Express to run on Mumbai-Goa route from May 22; see what it offers 

Passengers will be able to watch films, TV shows and enjoy music as part of their entertainment package, cited the report. 

Besides, hygienic ways of handling food, special trolleys, clean linen and new uniforms for the staff are also part of the plan, it added. 

The ministry will also take steps to reduce the delay in departure timing of these trains.

"Steps will also be taken to ensure punctuality by reducing delays in the premier trains," the report said quoting a railways official, as saying. 

There are also plans of introducing Wi-Fi services and infotainment screens into these trains that were first introduced in Tejas Express train. 

"The railways have decided to launch Operation Swarn (or `gold`) to refurbish its services after several complaints by passengers like delay in train arrival, sanitation and quality of food," IANS reported quoting a senior Railway Ministry official, as saying on condition of anonymity. 

Under the project, the Indian Railways will focus attention on 10 key areas -- punctuality, cleanliness, linen, coach interiors, toilets, catering, staff behaviour, security, entertainment, housekeeping and regular feedback.

“The plan will be upgraded in future with services like Wi-Fi, infotainment screens (that were first provided in Tejas Express) and coffee vending machines,”IANS reported quoting a senior Railway Ministry official as saying.

The project aims at strengthening the security system in the trains with adequate deployment of Railway Protection Force personnel.

The Railway Ministry had launched Tejas Express train on Mumbai-Goa route in May this year. The bright yellow superfast train promises a flight-like experience on the track at less than Rs 1,500 a ride, the report said. 

The Tejas Express has German coaches fitted with LED screens, is loaded with coffee vending machines, automatic doors, fire repression system, bio-vacuum toilets, attendant call buttons, reading LED lights, besides free WiFi connectivity, it further added. 

ALSO READ: Fares of Tejas Express train to be 20% more than Shatabdi