Railways to launch Operation Swarn to revamp Rajdhani, Shatabdi Trains 

Concerned over the complaints received from the public over the premium trains of Indian Railways like Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express, Railways have decided to launch “Operation Swarn (‘gold’)“. The operation is aimed at improving the services in these premium trains. The Railways have decided to launch this operation after it received complaints from passengers regarding the sanitation, food quality and delay in train arrivals etc.

Salient Highlights

Under the operation, in the first phase, Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani Express and Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express will be upgraded. More trains will be identified for upgradation in a phased manner
Under the initiative, Indian Railways will work towards improving 10 aspects, namely, punctuality, cleanliness, linen, coach interiors, toilets, catering, staff behaviour, security, entertainment, housekeeping and regular feedback.Under the operation, a sum of Rs 50 lakh would be allotted to Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains on various routes for the purpose of revamping.
Under the operation, a sum of Rs 50 lakh would be allotted to Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains on various routes for the purpose of revamping.
Indian railways will constitute two committees to monitor the revamping work under ‘Operation Swarn’.
Indian railways will constitute two committees to monitor the revamping work under ‘Operation Swarn’.
The upgraded trains will also have improved coach interiors, better furnishing and new comfortable seats.
In future, these premium trains will also be upgraded with services like Wi-Fi, infotainment screens, coffee vending machines etc.

Premium Trains

Among the premium trains in India Rajdhani and Shatabdi are the well known. They are transporting people who were able to afford more fare for a somewhat luxurious travel. But after years of service, these trains have begun to lose their sheen.
In May 2017, first high-speed premium train Tejas Express between Mumbai and Karnali in Goa was launched. The train has a lot of facilities like LCD screen on every seat, improved interiors, coffee vending machines, automatic doors, fire repression system, bio-vacuum toilets, attendant call buttons, reading LED lights and free Wi-Fi connectivity.
The railways have also launched a new series of fully air-conditioned express trains like Humsafar, Mahamana and Gatimaan for overnight travel. The Humsafar Express has features like CCTV cameras, coffee vending machines, fire and smoke detection systems, new interiors with comfortable seats. The Mahamana Express has ladders for climbing to upper berths, snack tables for side berths, windows with powered Venetian blinds and roller blinds, LED lights as berth indicators, LED reading lights, fire extinguishers and electrically operated chimney in the pantry car, among others.

Month: Current Affairs - June, 2017