Railways to address demand for adding non-AC bogies; new project in the works

NEW DELHI: Vandebharat Express trains are a project that has changed the face of Indian Railways. The train is a superhit among all categories of passengers with its modern facilities and services on various routes in the country. However, there is strong criticism that the railways, which is focusing more on building this premium train that charges high ticket prices and putting it on the track, has forgotten the common man.

Railways are now addressing the complaint that they are forgetting the common man while building the more lucrative Vande Bharat. New general coaches will be built this financial year. More announcements will be made in the coming days on Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat projects. Railways is preparing to announce five Vandebharat trains soon. This is likely to include the much-awaited Kochi-Bengaluru service in Kerala. Thiruvananthapuram-Chennai cities may also be connected by a fourth Vandebhara.

Common travelers will be considered: Ashwini Vaishnaw

"There is a large number of ordinary people in the country who are doing low-income jobs. Their plight will be taken into account by the government. We also have an aspirational class which is coming up. The interests of those who belong to this category must also be considered. So we are addressing both," Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw responded.

There are plans to build AC coaches and a certain number of regular coaches. The ratio is two non-AC coaches to one AC coach. The demand for adding non-AC bogies is increasing. Construction of 2,500 non-AC coaches is in progress. He said that the Railways intends to build 10,000 non-AC coaches in the next three years.