Live TV facility for train passengers soon

PATNA: While Railways has been focusing more on its modernization plan for safety reasons, it has also decided to provide entertainment to passengers on running trains.

It recently held talks with a renowned service provider to install live television facilities on a few select trains.

Depending on its successful implementation, railways could provide this facility in more premier trains.

According to a railway board official, earlier the music system was introduced in a few select trains including Rajdhani Express on several routes. But it was later withdrawn for one reason or the other. Now railways is keen to provide Live TV services on running trains for the entertainment of passengers during their long journey, the official said.

The board official told TOI that the railways has decided to launch Live TV services on the most luxurious trains Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels first on trial basis. These two luxurious trains are already fitted with flat screen LCD televisions. Thus it would not be a problem for railways to introduce TV channels on running trains, he said adding it would facilitate passengers of these two trains to get in touch with latest news.

According to the Board official, railways is chalking out a comprehensive plan to provide more amenities to passengers on running trains on the pattern of trains in European countries. While safety has been the main priority of the railways, improved amenity for the passengers on the running trains is now other concern of the railways. Indian Railways is still the cheapest means of communication compared to railway services in foreign countries, he said.

Meanwhile, railways has started the process to install close circuit cameras (CCTV) in all super fast trains across the country to step up security measures on running trains. This decision has been taken in the wake of repeated attacks on railway property and passenger trains, the Board official added.

According to him, the new system will also help railway security personnel to keep a tab on the activities of criminals or terrorists. Under the new plan, railways intends to install master computers at different places in various zones to keep under watch running trains through CCTV. Railway vigilance staff are working to prepare a foolproof security system on running trains, the official said.

Besides, railways is likely to introduce a new system in the Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express trains under which doors would remain locked throughout the journey. In any emergency, passengers could press the button provided in coaches and then a security staff would be available to them for assistance, sources said.