Railways trains its sight on revolving chairs

Revolving chairs could be the next major infrastructural change in trains, in Chair Cars to be precise. The Railways has decided to address complaints of Chair Cars’ travelers — particularly those of Shatabdi Express — about the seating pattern in coaches wherein some of the seats are fixed opposite to the direction of the train’s movement. 

The problem has led to complaints of nausea and fatigue, prompting the Railways to attempt designing revolving chairs which could be adjusted as per the direction of the train’s movement. The decision to install revolving chairs in the same space and with the same legroom has been taken since changing the direction of coaches to match with that of the train’s movement is tedious. 

To begin with, Bhopal Shatabdi will be the first train to be fitted with the modern revolving chairs since most of the complaints were received from foreigners who visit Agra and Gwalior by this train, which is also the country’s fastest train running at 150 kmph.  “The National Institute of Design (NID) has been asked to design innovative railway compartments, convenient chair cars and toilets to ensure that passengers travel in comfort. The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) too is at work on this aspect,” said a railway official. 

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu recently met a NID delegation for redesigning of railway infrastructure, including the seating in Chair Cars. In an effort to overhaul the look and image of the Indian Railways, the Railway Ministry has roped in NID to redesign some of the infrastructure so that it can address travellers’ concerns about cleanliness, comfort and service quality. 

NID is already designing a ladder which passengers of all groups and age can use to climb on to upper berths with ease. Some of the coaches have already been fitted with such ladders and the Indian Railways is now waiting for passengers’ feedback before moving further to set it up in other trains also.

Besides, the railways, in tie-up with ICF, is also looking for designing diesel locomotives, interior of drivers’ cabins and user-friendly pantry cars with comfortable dining space. 

With double-decker coaches becoming popular, the elite design institute has also been tasked to develop more user-friendly double-decker trains. 

Prabhu in his Rail Budget this year had announced that NID would help replace the uncomfortable ladders with redesigned ones to make it easier for passengers to climb upper and middle berths in trains. As part of Swachchh Bharat agenda and to keep the station premises clean and hygienic, the institute is also designing user-friendly dustbins for stations and coaches.“Golden Day” in history of Arunachal, says Prabhu Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Monday launched new train service in the Northeast after the completion of North lakhimpur-Murkongselek and Balipara-Bhalukpong sections into broad-gauge through video-conferencing here. Describing the occasion as a “Golden Day” in the history of Arunachal Pradesh, Prabhu said the State is getting second Broad Gauge connectivity with the commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong gauge conversion. Earlier this year, Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar was provided connectivity with the National Capital through a direct train.