Better passenger amenities like disposable linens and modernised safety equipments are to be the main focus in the Rail Budget to be presented next week. In order to nullify the passengers’ outrage over the recent massive rail fare hike, the Railway Ministry is also set to announce passenger friendly measures like fire suppression systems and automatic doors in elite trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi.
Following large number of complaints regarding the quality of linen made available to Rajdhani passengers, the pilot project of providing disposable bedrolls will be taken up in Bangalore Rajdhani Express.“linen made of non-woven polyester fabric which can be disposed of after use will be supplied to the passengers on board. It will be carried out in an experimental way in Bangalore Rajdhani and after getting feedback from passengers a decision will be taken to extend the same services in other Rajdhani trains,” Railway sources said.Railways will also start a pilot project to equip Shatabdi coaches with automatic closing door system as a fool-proof safety device. The automatic door system will also be installed in EMU trains for suburban service, as per the plan.
Aiming at generating more revenue from parcel movement, the Rail Budget is likely to propose development of high capacity parcel vans. Besides, announcement of manufacturing high capacity milk van and light weight wagon for transporting salt are also likely to find mention in the NDA government’s first Rail Budget on July 8 to be announced by Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda in his maiden Rail Budget.
Keeping the increased demand for dairy products and milk output, the railways is proposing to develop higher capacity milk van which can carry 44,600 litres as against the current 40,000 litres. Though the carrying capacity of milk van will be increased, the weight of the new design milk van will be reduced from 37 tons to 29.7 tons, as per the plan.
Heeding to the demand from the manufacturing sector, the Railways is also finalising its budgetary plan to develop high capacity wagons to transport more steel coils. As per the plan, the state-run transporter is proposing to develop wagons which can carry upto 3,944 tons of coils. Currently, the carrying capacity of wagons is 2,346 tons.