Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Kerala Express to sport a new look

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, AUG. 31. When the Kerala Express bound for Delhi pulls out of the Thiruvananthapuram Central station on Wednesday, it will sport a new look. Equipped with new rakes designed to enhance comfort and safety, the train promises to take the ordeal out of long distance commuting.

Built at the Integral Coach Factory, Avadi, near Chennai, the new rakes have power connectivity for laptop computers, charging facility for mobile phones, surround cooling for AC coaches and Fibre Reinforced Modular Plastic toilets.

Although the new rakes were partly introduced in other trains, it is for the first time that an entire train is being run with the new coaches.

Designed for comfort

The new AC coaches feature head protection cushion in the upper berth, protection drive for upper berth, fibre coated ladder with four steps for climbing to the top berths, two-way switches for the convenience of the passengers, improvised lighting, surround cooling with adjustable air flow regulator, night lamp berth indicator, doorway light on all the four doors at the entrance of the coach and a lighted toilet occupation board with the indication above the door in the inside pathway.

Improvised emergency exit, modular wash basin with towel hanger, concealed dustbin with removable container with locking facility and FRP modular toilet fitted with hand shower, soft touch flush system, exhaust fan and liquid soap container are the other features introduced in the new AC coaches.

The FRP modular toilet units designed by the Industrial Design Centre of IIT-Mumbai is light, corrosion resistant, fire retardant and has longer life. Comprising of four parts, it can be fastened by screws. Improved anti-skid PVC sheet with anti-abrasion properties for the floor and concealed plumbing are the novel features of the FRP modular toilet.

Better lighting

In the new sleeper coach fitted with FRP modular type toilet, head rests are provided in the upper berths with protective guards to avoid the rolling down of passenger from the upper berth. Concealed dustbins as in AC coaches and berth indicators are the additional features that have been introduced. Lighting in the sleeper class coach has been improved.

The AC Two-Tier coach fitted with FRP toilets costs Rs.98 lakhs and the Sleeper Class coach costs Rs.44 lakhs. The Kerala Express leaving here tomorrow will have 22 coaches including sleeper class and AC. According to the rescheduled timing, it will depart at 11.30 am.

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