After Tejas Express, hi-tech ‘smart coach’ to be launched

If you thought the recently launched Tejas Express is luxurious and ultra-modern then wait for what the railways is going to offer you next — ‘smart coach’ — that will be equipped with the latest technologies.

The prototype coach is currently being assembled in Rail Coach Factory (RCF) in Kapurthala, Punjab. The coach will be presented in front of the Railway Board for approval in December for any changes. Once approved by the railway ministry, the RCF will start building the coaches, according to officials said.

Few key features in the ‘smart coach’ include automatic closing of doors, which will differentiate between different coaches, automatic Venetian blind windows, which can be controlled by the passenger and direct contact with the guard in case of emergency from the seat. Advance entertainment facilities will also be introduced in the ‘smart coach’. The railways is also looking at the possibility of introducing tablets for entertainment on the train.

More than 700 people are working on the ‘smart coach’ project.

An RCF official requesting anonymity confirmed the work. “It is currently in the initial stage and the work on the smart coach is going on. The assembling is being done in an executive coach and once the work is done as per the specifications ... we will send it to them.”