11 December,2023 06:41 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
The existing and proposed seating in AC trains
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So, here's a peep into what the new air-conditioned (AC) local train composition will look like. The railway consultant in its first-ever official interim report has chalked out a strategy to upgrade regular local trains into AC trains and redesign the coach composition, too. With luggage compartments on either side, more space for women than in existing AC trains, the consultant's report calls for maintaining existing composition with some minor tweaks.
Mentioning seat reservation in the existing set of AC and non-AC trains, seat reservation in non-AC and AC coaches is similar for Divyangjan and senior citizens but is different for women and luggage. The report states that 22 to 29 per cent seats are reserved for women in non-AC coaches, and 13 per cent in the present AC coaches. About three per cent seats are reserved for Divyangjans in non-AC coaches, and two per cent in the present AC ones. One per cent seats are reserved for senior citizens in non-AC and in the present AC coaches. About two per cent of seats are reserved for luggage in non-AC and none in the present AC coaches. Comparative information has also been collated from Delhi Metro and Mumbai Metro for a broader consideration and comparison.
"Given the limitations, it should be a general expectation from the public to vacate their seat for the needy, senior citizens, Divyangjan, pregnant women, passengers travelling with a baby, even if unreserved," the report stated.
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As per the report, a copy of which is with mid-day, in the new redesigned AC local trains, the 1st and 12th compartments have been proposed for luggage in keeping with the practice followed presently for existing non-AC local trains.
Mid-day Impact: At present the AC trains do not have luggage compartments at all.mid-day had highlighted in a report last year how AC local trains had no luggage compartments, leaving out city's stakeholders, dabbawallas, fisher folk and vendors who had raised their voice. Following the report, the railways had assured inclusion of luggage compartments in the new design of AC local trains.
1st,12th
Compartments in AC trains proposed for luggage
