Title - Chiller plants made functional at Patna Junction

PATNA: The railways has made water chiller plants functional at Patna Junction and other important stations under Danapur division of East Central Railway (ECR) from April 1 in view of rising temperature. Danapur DRM L M Jha said these plants are catering to the needs of a large number of passengers. The railways has made available this facility at platform nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 at Patna Junction, he said.The DRM said about 2,000 litres of water is being supplied to passengers per hour from each booth of the plants. Three booths of the plants, comprising 24 taps, have been fitted on platform no. 1 while one booth each fitted with 10 taps are functioning on platform nos. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, he said.According to Jha, the railways has decided to provide safe drinking cold water to passengers at each big and small station of the division during summer. It has also arranged for water coolers at other stations under the division. "Special care is being taken that common passengers do not suffer from water scarcity at small and roadside stations during summer," the DRM said.Besides, hundreds of fans have been fitted in commuter trains as well as at other stations under the division. Railway employees, particularly of the air condition (AC) department, have been put on alert to check functioning of the AC coaches prior to departure of premier trains from Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Danapur station. This would help the railways avoid last moment detachment of the AC coach due to any technical faults, he said.The division has set up a team of railway officials from electrical wing to carry on inspection of trains at all major stations under the division to check functioning of ACs, fans, lights and other amenities on running trains and railway platforms. This team would also ensure that fire-fighting potable equipment is available in each train, Jha said.Special directives have been given to the air condition department to keep a tab on the functioning of ACs at all computerized passenger reservation system (PRS) counters under the division to ensure its smooth functioning.According to sources, the railways has kept in readiness additional AC coaches under the division to meet the requirement of long-distance passengers in case of any emergency. The railways has also chalked out an action plan to improve the reliability and availability of AC coaches during summer, sources said.