Shatabdi Express to soon get Anubhuti luxury coach

A brand new coach with aircraft-like seat units (though not as cramped) has arrived in Mumbai and will be soon added to the Shatabdi Express. The air-conditioned chair car, built at a cost of Rs 2.84 crore, is from the railways' Anubhuti luxury coach range.

So far, 10 such compartments have been built at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai. Western and Central Railways will get two each, while six have been allotted to the Northern Railway.

The executive-class coach that rolled into Mumbai has a blue colour scheme with artistic patterns of flowers and leaves. Inside, the reclining chairs have seat-back entertainment screens, USB slots, charging points, and tray tables that slide back into the space under the armrest. Like aboard aircraft, adjustable reading lights and call buttons to summon an attendant have been installed above seats.

In the middle of the coach, there are rail information screens on both sides. They will display details such as the train speed, the approaching station and time to destination.

Like all new railway coaches, the Anubhuti compartments come with anti-graffiti protection. They have ergonomically designed bio-toilets with touchfree taps to reduce wastage of water. The mini-pantry remains the same except for the addition of a soup boiler.

Anubhuti coaches are designed to offer more leg space to passengers. Hence, these coaches will have a maximum seating capacity of 56 passengers.

(Text: Kamal Mishra | Mumbai Mirror)