Under Project Utkrisht, railways has granted Rs 60 lakh per rake to upgrade its interiors and exteriors.New Delhi:After success of Project Utkrisht (best) and Operation Swarn (gold) to provide more premium feeling to passengers travelling in national transport, railways has decided to facelift first-class air-conditioned coaches of seven mail and express trains, a Railway Ministry official said on Sunday."The first train with new plush interiors has been taken up in Kashi Vishwanath Express," said a senior railway ministry official, adding new renovated coach has been added to train departing from New Delhi on Sunday.The new features in coach include new anti-grafitti vinyl wrapping interiors, new curtains, properly worked out bathroom even with option of taking a shower, he said.The official said that PVC flooring has been changed.He said compressed berth cushions have been replaced and fire extinguishers installed in coach for enhanced safety.Good quality curtains too have been provided in coach.The official said stairs of first-class coaches have also been worked to provide more comfort to passengers.He said bathroom has been fitted with high-gloss mica having marble design on long journeys.However, official refused to share name of other trains which are set to get upgrade under this majore facelift programme.Last year, railways took up work of upgrading its existing fleet of Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express under operation Swarn.Operation Swarn was undertaken by railways with focus on 10 key areas -- punctuality, cleanliness, coach interiors, toilets, catering, staff behaviour, security, entertainment, housekeeping and regular feedback.Under this, Railways has planned to spend Rs 50 lakh on each train.
The Rs 25-crore venture covers 30 trains in total - 15 Rajdhani and 15 Shatabdi Express trains.Under Project Utkrisht, railways planned to upgrade about 140 rakes of trains in first phase that would be completed by March 2019.The railways has planned to upgrade about 500 rakes on trains that still runs on old Integral Coach Factory design in second phase.Under Project Utkrisht, railways has granted Rs 60 lakh per rake to upgrade its interiors and exteriors.The dustbin of coaches would be provided with garbage bag coach and toilets, PVC flooring will be changed in case it is damaged, and faded coach panels will be replaced.
The roof of coach will also be repaired wherever required.