The Kolkata Metro railway authorities are conducting trials in an attempt to cut down on the evacuation time as part of its enhanced preparedness in case of disasters and emergency situations, an official said on Tuesday.
"We are doing trials and mock drills for evacuation to reduce the time. From one hour, it has come down to 40-45 minutes. An extra door or ramp has been added on both ends of coaches so that evacuation is faster," said A.K. Kapoor, general manager for Metro Railway, Kolkata, in response to a poser from the media on preparedness.
Kapoor also invited suggestions for the upcoming railway budget.
He said 14 air-conditioned rakes, replacing the existing ones, were expected to arrive soon.
The new coaches are being manufactured by CNR Dalian Locomotive and Rolling Stock, a subsidiary of China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation.