Internet facilities for train passengers on anvil

Be it booking a ticket or keeping a tab on the stock market, select rail passengers will soon be able to work online while on the move as railway authorities are mulling a proposal to provide satellite-based internet facility on premier trains.

Besides checking the stock prices on real time basis, passengers of such trains can access bank accounts and also book air and rail tickets while travelling. A trial run was successfully carried out on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express and the report has been submitted to the railway ministry.

The report is being examined and the ministry is likely to appoint a committee for working out the modalities for introduction of internet in trains, a senior railway ministry official said.

Besides Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains, saloon cars and accident relief trains are also to be equipped with the transmission technology for internet connectivity.

The proposal also envisages provision of LCD screen on every seat of Ist AC coach of Shatabdi and Ist and IInd AC coaches of Rajdhani trains. It is estimated to cost about Rs 340 crore to implement the ambitious project as it requires VSAT terminal, Wi-fi set up and dedicated VSAT hub among other equipment.

Termed as value addition to passenger amenities, railways are keen to establish High Speed Internet Corridor along all routes to provide internet, IPTV and other entertainment and utility services in trains.

The plan envisages introduction of onboard audio and video entertainment system for passengers during the journey. All these steps are being undertaken to provide better facilities to railway passengers, the official said.