By Arun Kumar Das
In a significant step towards modernising rail travel, Indian Railways has introduced advanced air curtains in the Vande Bharat Express, further enhancing passenger comfort and energy efficiency. The initiative, undertaken by Northern Railway, has been implemented on the New Delhi-Khajuraho route and is expected to be installed in other premier services across the country including the Jammu-Srinagar section, reinforcing the national transporter’s commitment to world-class travel standards.
Presently Indian Railways is facing a challenge in running trains from other parts of India to Srinagar in Kashmir as the conventional air-conditioned coaches may not be suitable for travel in extreme cold conditions that exist in the valley. The Railways will operationalise the Jammu-Srinagar section with heated coaches that run only in the Valley.
However, the Railways is considering equipping conventional air-conditioned coaches with heated air curtains that would be more effective in insulating the space inside coaches from the extreme cold outside for which trials are already being done. A senior Railway Ministry official said they are actively considering introducing advanced air curtains in the Valley and other sections as well.
With increasing demand for hygienic, temperature-controlled environments, air curtains are proving to be a valuable addition to railway infrastructure. These devices create an invisible air barrier at doorways, preventing unwanted heat, dust, and pollutants from entering the air-conditioned coaches when doors open and hence saving conditioned air in the cabin. To ensure the effectiveness of this solution, Mitzvah, a leading manufacturer of air curtains, conducted successful trials, demonstrating significant benefits in temperature retention, energy conservation, and improved air quality.
Enhancing travel comfort and sustainability
The installation of air curtains in the Vande Bharat Express offers multiple advantages:
Temperature Regulation: By preventing the escape of conditioned air, air curtains help maintain a consistent cabin temperature, ensuring passengers enjoy a pleasant travel experience despite extreme weather conditions.
Energy Conservation: Indian Railways is actively adopting eco-friendly and energy-saving measures. Air curtains significantly reduce energy consumption by minimising the loss of cooling in summers and heating in winters, thereby lowering power requirements for air conditioning systems.
Enhanced Operational Efficiency: Frequent opening and closing of train doors can cause substantial fluctuations in temperature and air pressure. Air curtains stabilize airflow, improving overall system efficiency and reducing maintenance costs for HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems.
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A step towards smarter rail travel in India
The introduction of air curtains aligns with Indian Railways’ vision of modernising railway infrastructure with sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. Vande Bharat Express, known for its speed, luxury, and advanced technology, is setting new benchmarks in rail travel, and innovative additions like air curtains further elevate the passenger experience.
As Indian Railways continues its journey towards technological advancement and environmental sustainability, the integration of solutions like *air curtains* marks a crucial step forward. These improvements not only enhance passenger comfort but also contribute to long-term energy savings and operational efficiency. With this installation, Indian Railways has once again demonstrated its commitment to innovation and passenger-centric services, ensuring that train travel in India remains safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient.
(The author Arun Kumar Das is a PIB-accredited freelance journalist covering infrastructure including railways for more than 3 decades. Views expressed are not necessarily those of financialexpress.com.)