Konkan brings in self-lighting train

Facing unreliable power supply at stations, Konkan Railway has introduced a self-lighting train with footboard lights on both sides of the coach that light up automatically as the train halts and switch off as it leaves the platform.

The lights offer sufficient illumination at the footboard for passengers to alight safely, an official release said today. This would also provide safety to passengers in the event of of a train stopping out of course, like inside a tunnel or on a bridge, it said. Many stations on the Konkan Railway, face erratic power supply, it said, adding the organisation had provided emergency lights on platforms of important stations, which were not sufficient for the entire platform.

Arrival of a passenger train in such a situation causes problems as light on the platform is insufficient, it said, adding it may prove hazardous if a train has to stop to cross another train. Konkan Railway will extend the system on all trains gradually, the release said.