Railways plan to offer TV, music

The railways are planning to provide televison and music sets on each seat in select trains.

Sources in the rail ministry say the Chandigarh-Delhi Shatabdi Express may be the first to receive the features as a pilot project. Cutting down fares of the air-conditioned class in the Rail Budget this year, Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had made it clear that he intended to take competition from the low-cost airlines head on.

The proposal to install TV sets on the Shatabdis is now being seen as yet another attempt to ensure that its passengers do not desert the air-conditioned compartments for air travel.

According to sources, if the new services prove to attract more passengers, then the features will be provided on some other trains too. Lalu Prasad is said to be keen on installing the TV and music sets has asked officers concerned to study the proposal in detail.

Railway officials are of the opinion that by increasing occupancy, they can meet the additional costs needed to purchase and maintain the entertainment gadgets.

Another proposal that may be tried out is to ask the railways' bedroll vendors to provide additional materials like toileteries and medicines in the air-conditioned coaches. Providing bedrolls to non-AC, reserved pssengers at a nominal cost is also being considered.