RAIL MINISTER HAS A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE

From providing passengers travel insurance and changing boards on trains for mothers with infants to 50% berth quota for senior citizens and Braille-enabled coaches, railway minister Suresh Prabhu’s second budget had something for everyone.

To ensure a hassle-free travel experience, Prabhu announced three services customised for different classes of passengers.

For the common man, the railways will introduce a superfast unreserved train called Antyodaya Express.

To f acilitate unreserved travel, two to four ‘Deen Dayalu’ coaches will be added in some long-distance trains. The coaches will have potable water and several mobile charging points.

For those looking for some luxury, there will be Tejas and Humsafar -- trains running at 130 kilometre per hour with worldclass on-board facilities such as music, entertainment screens, WiFi and local cuisine.

The railways also plans to invite FM radio stations for providing train-borne entertainment by installing public address systems. “These will be premium facilities and passengers opting for these services will have to pay more,” said AK Mittal, chairman of the railway board.