Estimated to cost about Rs 81 lakh per coach, 700 such modern coaches will be manufactured in the current fiscal.
To improve quality of travelling in general class, Railways on Tuesday rolled out its first modern unreserved coach 'Deen Dayalu' with facilities like potable drinking water, mobile charging points and bio-toilets among others to be used in mail and express trains.
"We have announced it in our budget. We will deploy these Deen Dayalu coaches in those routes which have heavy demand for getting seats," Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu said after inaugurating the first Deen Dayalu coach in New Delhi.
Besides the water filtration system to provide potable water, the coach is equipped with provision of cushioned luggage racks, additional hand hold in doorway area and coat hooks.
"We have provided many facilities in these coaches like charging points, dustbins, more space for keeping luggages, aqua guard like facilities. We fulfilled what we have promised in our budget," Prabhu said.
Estimated to cost about Rs 81 lakh per coach, about 700 such modern coaches will be manufactured in the current fiscal.
Painted with z-shaped orange colour bands and anti-graffiti coating, there will be toilet occupation indication display board and water-level indicator in the coach.
LED lights, fire extinguishers with anti-theft arrangement, interior panelling with aluminium composite panels.
Prabhu said Railways will launch four new services for passengers.
"Very soon four new services will be introduced. First there will be Tejas, secondly Hamsafar, then Udaya for overnight service, then Antodaya Express will be pressed into service," he added.
He said the general coach is an example is how the Narendra Modi government is committed to protect the interest of the common man.
"Wherever there is a demand we will deploy this. It has been manufactured at ICF," he said.
Railway Member (Mechanical) Hemant Kumar said "This is the first Deen Dayalu coach and every month about 15-20 coaches will be manufactured at Integrated Coach factory at Chennai and Rail Coach Factory at Kapurthala."
