Mumbai: The Indian Railways will add another feather to their cap with the introduction of the fully air-conditioned Hamsafar Express from Bandra to Patna, which is expected to have its inaugural run on July 18. So far, it has introduced over eight trains under the flagship of the Hamsafar Express, similar to the Antodya that too runs on different routes pan-India.
The train will comprise only 3AC coaches but will boast of amenities like coffee-machines, separate stairs for those with top berths, curtains for privacy as well a baby-diaper changing facility in the toilet.
A normal third class AC coach is considered just a notch above the non-AC sleeper and therefore these amenities are a first.
This is part of the Railways’ initiative to provide luxurious and semi-luxurious trains like Tejas and Antodya Express, connecting metros like Banglore-Chennai, Delhi-Howrah, with the first starting back in December of last year. The railways have been trying to push for luxury travel for the common man and have thus ensured that these trains are 3AC in order to make up for running costs.
According to officials, another unique feature of this train is that it has Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, which will ensure a smoother, jerk-free ride. Rajdhani, Duranto and the recent induction, the Tejas Express, all have LHB coaches, which are designed to absorb small jerks and shocks.
Following the incidents of vandalism on the Tejas Express, where the passengers trashed the floor of the train and even stole headphones from the LCD TVs, an official said, “We are not sure about how the people are going to use this facility. But we are going to put RPF staff on the train to ensure that people don’t damage anything.”
