Cash-strapped Railways is now aiming to achieve the twin targets of providing more accommodation to passengers and simultaneously, increasing revenues. The New Delhi-lucknow Rajdhani Express, which has now been renamed AC Superfast Express, will be the first prototype express train to implement some of these measures that will include increasing number of coaches to 24 from the present 16, switching off the generator power back-up during the night to save diesel, reducing noise pollution and above all, maintaining 100 per cent punctuality.
A senior Railway official said that Railways is now working towards maximum utilisation of assets with low budget and increasing occupancy “without introducing any new train or a special train”. The suggestions by Northern Railway (NR) said that while the maximum permissible load for coaches is 19, efforts will be on to augment it to 24 gradually since the section has the scope of attaching more coaches.
The NR also said that where the OHE (overhead electricity) can support the air-conditioning especially during the nights, the generator rakes attached in Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and all AC trains should be put off to save fuel and hence add to finances. “The Northern Railway is working on this and will streamline all factors to run the train with maximum benefits and punctuality come what may. This can happen with an increased number of coaches and more funds,” added the official.
It is estimated that this particular train would generate additional revenue of about Rs9 crore per coach per annum. The lucknow AC Superfast has been chosen as model train for this since serious complaints against the services of this train reached the Rail Bhawan ever since it was introduced some months ago. The detailed examination found complete misutilisation of Railway resources with increase level of discontent within the travellers of 12429/12430 lucknow Rajdhani Express.
The lucknow New Delhi AC Duronto Express and lucknow New Delhi AC Express was combined and renamed as lucknow Rajdhani Express few months ago with an increased fare slab. Complaints pertained against the services of this particular train which said the fare of Rajdhani was being collected sans any such services. “Neither any beverages including water bottles nor any meals were provided in the journey train. Hence the category Rajdhani has been withdrawn,” said the official.