Your travel on Rajdhani, August Kranti to get better

Passengers on Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani and August Kranti Express travelling in AC coaches will soon be greeted and welcomed by train staffers

Passengers on Mumbai-New Delhi Rajdhani and August Kranti Express travelling in AC coaches will soon be greeted and welcomed by train staffers.

The Western Railway has planned to introduce new service protocol with the help of Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) by October 10.

The railways has proposed the initiative in Mumbai after the introduction of rail hostess in Delhi-Agra Gatiman Express.

Highlighting the idea behind the initiative, Mukul Jain, division railway manager of Mumbai Central division of WR, said the ticket checkers and catering staff will greet every passenger before the journey.

“The train superintendent, ticket checkers and staffers will welcome passengers and introduce themselves. They will hand over napkins, water bottles and Rail Bandhu magazine to passengers,” added Jain.

IRCTC will train staffers in etiquette and protocol before implementing it, said a senior official.

WR also launched printed bed sheets, recyclable napkins and pillow covers and eco-friendly bags made of newspapers. These have been made by inmates of jails in the state.

Deputy inspector general (prison) Swathi Sathe said they are in talks with the railways to allow prisoners to make furniture and do laundry work. “This is just the beginning and we are eyeing to provide more services to the railways,” she said.

The railways has said it would display paintings in three Duranto and a Shatabdi trains departing from Mumbai. The WR officials said they have collaborated with the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists’ Association for the art work.