CR makeover for Vidharbha Express

To make train journey more comfortable with better facilities for its passengers, the Central Railway (CR) recently gave the Vidharbha Express a makeover.

To make train journey more comfortable with better facilities for its passengers, the Central Railway (CR) recently gave the Vidharbha Express a makeover.

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The Vidarbha Express, connecting Mumbai to Gondia, covers the longest distance in the state. Several VIPs, MLAs and MPs who travel on it regularly have frequently complained of the lack of facilities.

CR’s general manager Subodh Jain had planned the upgrade. “Jain wanted to model the train on the lines of Shan-e-Bhopal,” said Vidyadhar Malegaonkar, chief public relation officer (CPRO), CR. “The upgrade was conceptualised last year. It took two months to implement the changes,” said Malegaonkar.

The train has received new stickers for alarm chains, lavatory, safety instructions and new dustbins. While the air-conditioned (AC) coaches have been provided with brush stands, new mugs for drinking water have been placed in the non-AC coaches. To keep the area outside the lavatory clean and non-slippery, poly grass and hollow rubber mattresses have been provided. In AC coaches, the CR has laid duro-turf mattresses. Disposable commode covers too are now in place.

The CR has pasted the Vidharbha Express’ schedule in all its coaches. Along with air fresheners, the CR has also replaced the earlier nylon bottle holders with steel ones. “For better illumination, we have replaced the 11 watt CFL bulbs with 18 watt CPLs,” added Malegaonkar.