NEW DELHI: Trains running on identified routes at a speed of 130 km / h or more on the rail network will only have air-conditioned coaches in the near future as part of the Railways’ plans to upgrade the network, an official said on Sunday.
Emphasizing that ticket prices for these trains will be “affordable,” the spokesman for the Ministry of Railways, DJ Narain, clarified that it should not be misunderstood that “all non-CA coaches will become CA coaches.”
Currently, on most routes, mail / express train speeds are capped at 110 km / h or less.
Premium trains such as Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Durontos can operate at 120 km / h in significant parts of the Golden Quadrilateral and Diagonals. The rakes for such trains are capable of operating at 130 kilometers per hour or more, authorities said.
“Air-conditioned coaches have become a technical necessity wherever the train speed exceeds 130 km / h. Indian Railways is working on a massive plan to upgrade the rail network to high-speed potential, “Narain said.
The tracks in the Golden Quadrilateral and Diagonals are being updated to accommodate speeds of 130-160 km / h. Non-air-conditioned sleeping cars would be replaced by air-conditioned cars only for those trains that will run at 130/160 km / h.
“Coaches that do not use air conditioning will continue to travel on trains at 110 km / h,” he said.
“It will be ensured that while the price of modified air-conditioned coach tickets remains very affordable for passengers, comfort and convenience are increased and travel time is substantially reduced,” Narain said.
He said that a prototype of such an AC coach is being built at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and should be ready in a few weeks.
“An 83-berth coach is currently being designed. It is planned to have 100 such coaches this year and 200 next. The coaches will be evaluated and the experience gained from managing these coaches will lead to further progress, ”he said. Officials said the new AC coaches will be inexpensive as their tickets will be priced between the AC 3 and Sleeper coaches.
Compared to 72 seats in a sleeper coach, this new AC coach will have 83 seats, but the number of seats in a coupe will remain the same. However, there will be no additional intermediate bunks between the upper side and lower side bunks.
The coaches are being redesigned by moving the electrical units and removing the space reserved for storing blankets and sheets, since Railways will stop providing them due to coronavirus.
Emphasizing that ticket prices for these trains will be “affordable,” the spokesman for the Ministry of Railways, DJ Narain, clarified that it should not be misunderstood that “all non-CA coaches will become CA coaches.”
Currently, on most routes, mail / express train speeds are capped at 110 km / h or less.
Premium trains such as Rajdhanis, Shatabdis and Durontos can operate at 120 km / h in significant parts of the Golden Quadrilateral and Diagonals. The rakes for such trains are capable of operating at 130 kilometers per hour or more, authorities said.
“Air-conditioned coaches have become a technical necessity wherever the train speed exceeds 130 km / h. Indian Railways is working on a massive plan to upgrade the rail network to high-speed potential, “Narain said.
The tracks in the Golden Quadrilateral and Diagonals are being updated to accommodate speeds of 130-160 km / h. Non-air-conditioned sleeping cars would be replaced by air-conditioned cars only for those trains that will run at 130/160 km / h.
“Coaches that do not use air conditioning will continue to travel on trains at 110 km / h,” he said.
“It will be ensured that while the price of modified air-conditioned coach tickets remains very affordable for passengers, comfort and convenience are increased and travel time is substantially reduced,” Narain said.
He said that a prototype of such an AC coach is being built at the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala and should be ready in a few weeks.
“An 83-berth coach is currently being designed. It is planned to have 100 such coaches this year and 200 next. The coaches will be evaluated and the experience gained from managing these coaches will lead to further progress, ”he said. Officials said the new AC coaches will be inexpensive as their tickets will be priced between the AC 3 and Sleeper coaches.
Compared to 72 seats in a sleeper coach, this new AC coach will have 83 seats, but the number of seats in a coupe will remain the same. However, there will be no additional intermediate bunks between the upper side and lower side bunks.
The coaches are being redesigned by moving the electrical units and removing the space reserved for storing blankets and sheets, since Railways will stop providing them due to coronavirus.
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