12 ways travelling in Indian Railways will be more comfortable

Now passengers can book tickets 4 months in advance

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has sharply raised fund allocation to better passenger amenities, to 67%. Business Standard takes a look at ways in which travelling in trains could become more comfortable for passengers:

CONSUMER FOCUS

• Ticket booking: To be opened 120 days before date of travel

• Operation 5 minutes: Launched to facilitate rail ticket booking in five minutes for unreserved passengers

• Bed linen: IRCTC portal to book disposable linen in all trains
• Grievance redressal: Mobile application soon to register complaints; toll-free number 182 launched for security-related complaints

• Mobile charging: Units to be provided in general compartments, too

• Cleanliness: A new department for cleanliness of stations and trains se be set up under ‘Swachh Rail, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’; new toilets to be built at 650 additional stations

• Wi-fi: Service to be available at all Category A and B stations

• EMUs: Air-conditioned electrical multiple units for Mumbai

• Health and ease: Online booking for wheelchairs for senior citizens; TTEs to assist senior citizens, differently abled and pregnant women in getting lower berths

• Lockers: Facility of self-operated lockers to be available at stations