Title - Indore-Yeshwantpur train still off the track

INDORE: South bound passengers from Indore and neighbouring regions are still waiting for proper train connectivity to southern states especially Bangalore and Hyderabad. A passenger train between Indore and Yeshwantpur (Bangalore) proposed in the 2012-13 Railway budget is yet to chug off as design flaws in its general coaches have forced the railway authorities to hold back operation of the train.

Design flaws in four general LHB coaches have still kept the proposed Indore-Yeshwantpur (Bangalore) train off the track

It is learnt that the 'design problems' in the new coaches were detected recently at theKapoorthalaRail Coach Factory. "Four Linke Holfmann Busch (LHB) general coaches have design problems," said director (coaching) Ravi MohanSharma over phone from Delhi, adding that he would not be able to tell as to when exactly these coaches would be declared fit to run.

Surprisingly, he said that the Indian Railways has been running a special train between Indore and Yeshwantpur to facilitate the passengers from the region. However, when the claim of the director was verified from PRO office it was found that there was no special train running between the two cities.

"How does it matter for passengers whether it's a special train or a regular train," he said adding that a special train is being to cater to the needs of passengers.

Western Railway would be the first to introduce general coaches of LHB.

"There are many trains running with LHB rake including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Duronto Express," said Sharma adding that it was first time that four LHB general coaches are being provided to normal trains.

When pursued with the query as to when can we expect the train to run, the director reiterated that no limit can be set for this.

"We were expecting the train to hit the track within few weeks or months of announcement in the budget. But unfortunately, the train is yet to start," said Satya Murthy, a frequent traveller to Bangalore adding that the train would save a lot of time for the passengers.

Shail Tripathi, a softwareengineer with a local firm, believes that the connectivity of trains between Indore and cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad are a must as Indore is being developed as an IT hub of Madhya Pradesh.

PRO (WR) Pradeep Sharma said the rake would be of 19 coaches. "But we are expecting 26 coaches to reach Indore, out of which seven would be reserved," he said. The train can be run at a speed of 120 to 130 kmph and the coaches have been designed keeping in mind the safety of the passengers.

"These German-made coaches are crashworthy and in case of an eventuality do not get toppled," said the PRO. The sound level of these coaches is 60 decibel as against that of the conventional coaches with 100 decibel. Apart from the Controlled DischargeToilet System (CDTS), the LHB coaches are equipped with improved suspension system.

As regards the staff for maintaining these coaches, the PRO said railway staff is being trained in maintaining these coaches.