Rajdhani to have DTH television

The next time you are on an overnight journey on a train, you may not have to miss your favourite television serial.

The Indian Railways is on the verge of striking a deal to get the idiot box installed in express trains like the Rajdhani and Shatabdi.

A senior official said that the Indian Railways was trying to get direct-to-home (DTH) satellite televsion services in trains. The first such experiment might be in North India in trains between Chandigarh and New Delhi.

A senior Western Railway official said that hi-end trains like the Mumbai-Delhi Rajdhani or the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi will be the first to get such connections once the deal is finalised. “Television and rail commuters make for a terrific combination. They will be a powerful segment to exploit for DTH companies,” the official added.

When asked how the service will work in moving trains, the official explained that the DTH provider will install a satellite tracker to receive signal.

Commuters will thus be able to enjoy uninterrupted programming.
DTH providers are not just eyeing rail commuters but the entire land transport sector, including bus commuters and ships. Besides the satellite trackers, it requires antennas, wiring and TV sets.

The railways have been experimenting with various things like providing wi-fi connectivity, LCD screens and internet connections in trains. Suburban locals on WR tried to run select programmes, including advertisements, but the attempt was not quite successful.