To enhance the passengers experience by upgrading existing fleet of coaches with better furnishing, aesthetics & amenities and better safety features with a view to provide a safe and comfortable travel, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu has launched MISSION RETRO-FITMENT in Rail Bhavan.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Railways Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said, “ Mission Retro-Fitment is an ambitious program to upgrade the level of furnishing & amenities in the coaches of Indian Railways. This is one of the largest retro fitment project in the world as Indian Railways’ 40,000 coaches will be refurbished and retrofitted in the next five years.
This Mission Retrofitment is an endeavour to provide better travel experience as the interiors of the coaches would be refurbished & the retrofitment of Center Buffer Coupler with balanced draft gear would add more to safety of the passengers. By 2020, Indian Railways would provide a new travel experience to the passenger over Indian Railways. This mission is challenging as it will be carried out without affecting the traffic operation. On the occasion, MR Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu also released a booklet giving parameters & guidelines on this mega exercise of retrofitment and refurbishment.
Member Traffic, Railway Board, Mohd Jamshed, Member Rolling Stock, Railway Board, Shri Ravindra Gupta, Member Staff, Railway Board, Shri Pradeep Kumar were among those present on the occasion.
Refurbishing : Upgradation of Coaches with Improved Interiors
- It has been planned to induct about 40,000 coaches with upgraded interiors by 2022-23.
- RSP sanction for refurbishing of 6,700 coaches are already available.
- Approximate Cost : Rs.30 lacs per coach.
Refurbishing – Salient Points
• World class ambience
Panels without visible screws, LED Lights,
Modular toilets with concealed plumbing, Branded fittings, Powered venetian blinds, Anti-Graffiti coating, etc.
• Enhanced Passenger Safety
Fire and Smoke Detection System (in newly manufactured AC coaches),
Double acting compartment door (in AC coaches), Rounded edges at most locations for injury-free, etc.
• Caring for the Environment
Bio toilets
• Use of better materials
Such as Polycarbonate ABS, Advanced Composites, Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic, GFRE, Stainless Steel, etc.
• Enhanced Passenger convenience
Passenger Address & Passenger Information System, Braille Signage, Ergonomic design, increased number of mobile / laptop charging points, etc.
Panels without visible screws, LED Lights,
Modular toilets with concealed plumbing, Branded fittings, Powered venetian blinds, Anti-Graffiti coating, etc.
• Enhanced Passenger Safety
Fire and Smoke Detection System (in newly manufactured AC coaches),
Double acting compartment door (in AC coaches), Rounded edges at most locations for injury-free, etc.
• Caring for the Environment
Bio toilets
• Use of better materials
Such as Polycarbonate ABS, Advanced Composites, Glass Fibre Reinforced Plastic, GFRE, Stainless Steel, etc.
• Enhanced Passenger convenience
Passenger Address & Passenger Information System, Braille Signage, Ergonomic design, increased number of mobile / laptop charging points, etc.
Retrofitment of CBC – A major structural modification
- Stripping of the lavatories and doorway area.
- Gas cutting the End wall stanchions, Headstock assembly and Trough floor
- Fabrication of the Head stock compatible with CBC
- Tack welding of the new Head Stock with the Stanchions pillars and Sole bar.
- Measuring the camber, followed by full welding of the Head stock
- Inspection of the critical weld joints using DPT
- Painting with high performance anti-corrosive epoxy coating
- Replacement of Sole bars of length 2600 mm and 2700 mm on both sides.
- Welding of the End wall sheets, Side wall sheets, Turn under and Trough Floor.
- Cleaning and Painting.
