Distinction in travel journalism
Is independent travel journalism important to you?
Click here to keep it independent

29 Sep, 2013

India Expands Inter-City AC Double Decker Train Services

=========

Ministry of Railways, 27-September, 2013 – The AC Double Decker train between Habibganj and Indore, the first ever such train service in the state of Madhya Pradesh, was flagged off by the Minister of State for Railways Mr Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury at Habibganj railway station in Bhopal on 27 September 2013.

This LHB AC Double Decker is the fifth such train in the country. In addition to this, four other trains are already running between Jaipur-Delhi, Mumbai- Ahmedabad, Chennai-Banglore and Howrah-Dhanbad. Coaches of these LHB AC Double Decker trains are having better passenger amenities such as reclining chairs, snack tables bottle holders, automatic AC compartment entrance doors etc.

Also present among others on the occasion were Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Mr Kailash Joshi, Members of Parliament (Rajyasabha) Dr. Najma A. Heptulla, Dr. Chandan Mitra, Mr Kaptan Singh Solanki and Mr Anil Madhav Dave.

Based on the initial feedback from passengers, continuous upgradation in passenger amenities is being carried out for future AC Double Decker trains like, provision of fire and smoke detection system, RO (reverse osmosis) water plant, provision of automatic vestibule doors etc. A layout of executive chair car for LHB AC double decker coaches is also planned in future which will have around 68 seats against 56 seats in existing LHB Shatabdi Executive class coaches (21% more).

For the first time in India, LHB AC Double Decker chair car coaches were introduced to cater to higher transport demand. Passenger capacity of these coaches is higher with passenger carrying capacity of 120 seats against 78 in existing II class Shatabdi chair cars (53% more). For better passenger comfort, interior furnishings have been designed using FRP interiors, imported upholstery, see-through roller curtains etc.

Additional passenger amenities have been provided such as modular pantry, passenger information system and LED destination boards. For enhanced passenger safety crashworthy features have been incorporated in the design so that in case of any mishap causalities/injuries are minimized. Ride quality has been improved with the use of Air Springs in lieu of coiled springs in secondary suspensions.