AC double decker train on Delhi-Chandigarh route soon

The 12-coach AC double decker train with fire alarm system is expected to be pressed into service by February next year, a senior Railway Ministry official said.

Besides, Railways is mulling to introduce electrical multiple units (EMU) train sets on Delhi-Chandigarh and Delhi-Amritsar routes to reduce the travel time between these cities, the official said.

Train sets are expected to run at a high speed of 130-150 km per hour, thus reducing the travel time.

The Railways will also invite fresh tender for conducting pre-feasibility study of the 450-km long Delhi-Chandigarh- Amritsar high speed train, he said.

New Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal represents the Chandigarh constituency.

"The decision to adopt train sets technology was announced in the 2012-13 Railway Budget. We are planning to introduce it on Delhi-Chandigarh and Delhi-Amritsar routes and a decision to this effect is likely to be taken soon," he said.

AC double decker with improved passenger-friendly design and capacity of 120 passengers per coach will run at 110 km per hour speed, he said.

"The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) at Kapurthala has been asked to expedite manufacturing of double decker coaches to meet the February target, and Northern Railway is working out the time schedule for introducing the AC double decker train

service between Delhi and Chandigarh," he said.

Indigenously designed, developed and manufactured at RCF Kapurthala, the air-conditioned double decker train was introduced for the first

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