Utkrisht is the new way
S Vishnu Sharmaa, INN/Chennai, @infodeaofficial
When Tambaram – Nagercoil Triweekly Express (22657/58) was flagged off in the recent past a lot of hope was generated. The train was expected to bring down congestion on express trains traveling between Chennai and Nagercoil. The train was a welcome thing as it was seen as an added option in the route which is mostly busy.
Now that train is to witness another change. Sources from Southern Railway pointed out that the existing rake of Train No 22657/58 was replaced with utkrisht upgraded coaches with apricot and red exterior painting and swanky interior under the second phase of Project Utkrisht on 8 May.
It is interesting to note that the second phase of the project sanctioned by Railway Board for upgradation of 64 rakes at a total cost of Rs 67.75 crore in Southern Railway has witnessed an upgrade of three rakes so far, the remaining 61 rakes will be completed soon.
Sources further point out that the first run of the popular train with the new utkrisht rake will take place at Tambaram at 7:20 pm on 8 May. The train starts from Tambaram and reaches Nagercoil. The rakes will provide better facilities to passengers, including LED lightings, odorless toilets.
The other features of utkrisht coaches are polyurethane painting on exterior. The washbasins in these coaches are provided with a hydrophobic coating, epoxy flooring is provided in the toilets, the doorway and gangway have vinyl wrapping. Glowing berth number indication boards inside the coaches makes finding out their allotted berths easier for travelers. Needless to say, seats and berths inside the train have improved cushioning which offers better comfort to travelers.