The first fully cushioned rake is all set to be inducted into the suburban services of Central Railway by the end of this month.
The project got the nod after chief minister Prithviraj Chavan requested Union minister of state for Railways, K.H. Muniyappa, to install cushioned seats in second-class compartments during the latter’s visit to Mumbai in October last year.
“The work of providing cushioned seats in the second class compartment of one train is almost done. The train will be inducted into CR’s suburban services by this month end,” said V.A. Malegaonkar, chief public relations officer, CR. This is a pilot project by CR, and based on passenger response, more such trains will be introduced.
At present, passengers of only first class compartments have the comfort of travelling in cushioned seats. Lakhs of passengers travel in second-class compartments, which constitute the highest number of coaches in a train, which is why the CM was keen on upgrading the comfort of second-class commuters too, after which the work was undertaken.
CR sources said, “The colour scheme of the cushions in the ladies’ compartments has been modified slightly to make it aesthetically pleasing.” Material made of coir is being used in this pilot project instead of the more expensive rubber foam currently used in first-class compartments. Coir is considered to be moisture resistant and flame retardant.
However, the pilot project comes with its share of confusions. “We don’t know how the passengers will react. There has also been no word from the (railway) ministry about the pricing for travelling in this particular train. We are also concerned about these cushions being ripped or damaged or written on,” a CR officer said. Moreover, sources pointed out that accommodating four persons on these cushioned seats would be a problem.