The new air-conditioned coach was manufactured in Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, Punjab
Indian Railways rolled out its first air-conditioned three-tier economy class coach on Wednesday, February 10. The Railway Ministry has pegged the new economy class coach to be the cheapest and best air-conditioned travel in the world. The coaches will be economical and in between the current non-AC sleeper class coach and AC three-tier coach. The coach is also expected to enhance the capacity of express trains and is manufactured with new technologically-advanced features.
Indian Railways First AC-3 Tier Economy Coach: All You Need To Know
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It is a Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coach and was rolled out for the upcoming trial, from Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab to the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow. The coach was conceived by the Rail Coach Factory and its design work started on a war footing in October last year.
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The new air-conditioned three-tier economy class coach can carry more number of passengers as the number of berths has been increased from 72 to 83. Rail Coach Factory plans to produce 248 such coaches during the current and next fiscal.
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The design of the coach includes a high voltage electric switchgear which was installed onboard has now been shifted below the frame, increasing the passenger capacity by introducing 11 extra berths.
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The interior of the coach also has luminescent aisle markers, illuminated indicators of berths integral with night lights along with luminescent berth numbers. (AlsoRead: Budget 2021 Allocates ₹ 1.1 Lakh Crore For Indian Railways: What You Need To Know )
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The coach has an improved and modular design of berths and seats with injury-free spaces and holders for water bottles, mobile phones, magazines, along with foldable snack tables in both longitudinal as well as transverse bays.
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In addition to the standard socket, individual reading lights, as well as mobile charging points are provided in each berth, according to railway authorities. (Also Read: Budget 2021: Operating Ratio To Improve To 96.96%, Says Railway Board Member )
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Each of the coaches has been provided with a wider and one disabled-friendly toilet at entry door. The design for both Indian and Western-style lavatories has been improved.
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The air-condition ducting has been redesigned to provide individual vents for each berth. The coach also has an increased headroom in the middle and upper berths.
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For accessing the middle and upper berths, a new ergonomically improved design of the ladder has been provided in the coach. The ease of access for passengers has been improved by aesthetically-designed and ergonomic entrance.
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According to the Railway Ministry, the coach also has an improved fire safety system, ensuring compliance to the world benchmark of EN45545-2 HL3 for materials as well as passenger information systems
