Rajdhani gets an 'airplane' makeover

India's premier Rajdhani train has been modified under 'Project Swarn' and it made its maiden run from Mumbai Central to Delhi on February 6.

The modifications – both exterior and interior – have been made to improve the travel experience and comfort of their passengers, says a Western Railways official, and lure them away from air travel.

The interiors are coated with an anti-graffiti vinyl wrap, and the gangways have blue nightlamps. "We noticed that when thefts occurred, lights were switched off. So now we have lights that can be operated only by the coach attendant," said Mukul Jain, Divisional Railway Manager (Mumbai), WR.

In August 2017, theft of jewellery, mobile phones, debit/credit cards and cash amounting to lakhs took place inside the Rajdhani, undertaken by bona-fide passengers. To ward this off, the railways had proposed installing CCTVs inside Rajdhani and August Kranti trains.

The washrooms and bathrooms of First class AC have wall-mounted showers and water-heaters. Soap and disposable seat covers, odour control sprays, digital wall clocks and new curtains are other things passengers can expect.

Only one rake has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 50 lakh; by March 31, all five rakes of the Rajdhani/August Kranti trains will undergo changes.