Rajdhanis to go in for tech improvements

MUMBAI: The prestigious Rajdhani trains, which originate at Mumbai Central, are often augmented to clear holiday crowds. “This is, however, a temporary measure since there is only one 24-coach platform (number 1) at the terminus, as of now. This is a major constraint,” said a Western Railway (WR) official.

Once platforms 2-5 are lengthened , the augmentation of the 19-coach trains will be permanent . “Finding traction to pull the lengthened Rajdhani trains will not be a problem. But because the average speed of the trains is 130 kmph, modifications will be necessary to each train’s two power cars, which supply electricity for the air-conditioning and utilities like microwave ovens in the pantry cars,” the official said. “We are at present planning about the changes necessary for attaching more coaches to the trains.”

WR runs two Rajdhani trains per day. Each carries around a thousand passengers and earns the zonal railway handsome revenue.