The new air-conditioned rake that is set to run on the city suburban line soon will not have a separate compartment demarcated for women. This was revealed by A.K. Agarwal, general manager of the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF), which has built the air-conditioned train.
Mr Agarwal told this newspaper that all the 12 coaches of the AC train would be general compartments without a separate ladies compartment, unlike the current suburban locals.
The train is expected to arrive in the city within five to six days.
One of the major new adjustments that women commuters will have to make is to adapt to travelling in general compartment. “The train has 12 coaches all of which will be general compartments. There will be a motor in the middle with six coaches on either side. Commuters will be able to move through these six coaches that will be connected by vestibules,” said Mr Agarwal.
The air-conditioned train was also delayed by a day as it was to leave from Chennai to Mumbai on Thursday but the South Central Railway (SCR) could not dispatch it in time since 15 other rakes, including the Bombardier train, was being dispatched at the same time.
“The train was supposed to be dispatched on Thursday but we have been also producing rakes for other divisions as well. So they had to dispatch too many rakes, hence the train was held back,” he added.
Senior railway officials said that owing to the delay by a day Union minister Suresh Prabhu who is keen on keeping the train on scheduled whipped the railway officials in charge of the dispatch.
“The minister was extremely upset with the delay as a lot of eyes are on the air-conditioned train and there seems to be lot of political pressure. So he has specifically asked the
SCR to dispatch the rake and complete the final touches to the electrical equipment of the train in Mumbai itself,” said an official on condition of anonymity.
The seating arrangement of the train is akin to the Bombardier-made trains that have been running on the Western Railway.
