Super AC coaches hit roadblock

The Railway Ministrys pilot project to introduce Super AC coaches in trains is set to face delays,as the production process of the coaches has been shifted to a Rae Bareli factory that is still being set up.

The Railway Ministrys pilot project to introduce Super AC coaches in trains is set to face delays,as the production process of the coaches has been shifted to a Rae Bareli factory that is still being set up. The coaches were to be rolled out by the Rail Coach factory (RCF) in Kapurthala initially,but the project has now been given to the upcoming Rae Bareli Railway Coach Factory instead. Around 25 Super AC coaches were to have been unveiled by October 2011 but the Ministry failed to meet its deadline due to the shift.

RCF sources said the decision to shift the project was taken by the Railway Ministry and Railway Board authorities because they wished to give some new project to the upcoming Rae Bareli factory. The factory was asked to manufacture a prototype first.

Since the Kapurthala factory has already completed part of the project,the Rae Bareli factory will continue from where it leaves off. We have already made 21 shells of the Super AC and would supply these to Rae Bareli for furnishing and painting purposes, said Rajnish Bansal,a senior official of RCF Kapurthala.

The new Super AC coaches have been conceptualised to have more space,wider windows and more leg space,particularly for side berth passengers,than previous coaches. With only 44 berths,better ambience and more amenities,including a small pantry car,they are expected to provide more high-end service to passengers. The conceptual design for the Super AC coaches has already been finalised and 25 Super AC coaches are to be manufactured for Rajdhani trains in the first phase.

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