Eastern India’s first air-conditioned local EMU is all set to be rolled out this Sunday by Sealdah Division. It will have doors that would be operated like those in the city Metro.
Sealdah Division is to start the commercial services from 11 August. On Sunday a mega inaugural event has been planned for the maiden journey of the first AC locals of the state.
Before the event, two AC rakes stationed at Ranaghat railway yard were unveiled by the divisional Railway today. The rakes equipped with state of the art facilities would be first of its kind not only in West Bengal but also in the Eastern and north Eastern region of the country. “The doors in the coaches would be opened and closed on command of the loco pilot like it is done in the newer lines of Kolkata Metro Railway,” informed a railway official during a Press tour to Ranaghat Railway yard today. “The train also has talk back system like the metro rakes having around 1,100 seats,” he added.
According to the official, being laced with several advanced features, the AC rakes would also require maintenance which would be somewhat like it is done in the case of Vande Bharat Express train. “Since several electrical parts are installed on the lower side of the coach and not on overhead like the non-AC coaches, the rakes need to be maintained on an elevated platform as it is done in the case of Vande Bharat trains,” he pointed out.
“The train that would be run as galloping, would also include onboard ticket checkers and security personnel for safety,” informed the DPO of Sealdah, Ekalabya Chakraborty. “Additionally CCTV cameras and fire extinguishers have also been installed for enhanced safety of passengers, he added.
Notably, earlier last year, the divisional railway had introduced First Class coaches in the ladies’ special Matribhumi Local train. Despite the cozy seats and the comfortable journey that it offered, the idea did not prove to be much fruitful and the passenger count remained low. This time however, the divisional Railway authorities are hopeful that the air conditioning feature along with other enhanced passenger amenities would be a big draw among the commuters.