Amenity-powered makeover for Kongu Express by Project Utkrisht

The Kongu Express from Coimbatore-Hazrat Nizamuddin has got a makeover with enhanced amenities under project Utkrisht.

For the convenience of passengers, the train has been upgraded at a cost of Rs 60 lakh with better amenities like LED lights, Braille signage and dustbins in all coaches.

According to a railway official, the maiden run of the Kongu Express was flagged off from Coimbatore on Sunday. As per the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) standards, bio-toilets were fitted in coaches with dual flushing, soap dispensers and LED lights.

Also, the complete flooring of the train has been re-hauled and reserved coaches were equipped with fire extinguishers. The AC compartments are fitted with a double portioning door and indication boards.

The exterior of the train has also got a complete overhaul painted with bright colours and better coach indication boards. On maintaining cleanliness, the train has been provided with onboard housekeeping, provision to clean toilets on the run and staff to collect and dispose of garbage periodically.

The railway board announced of upgrading 66 pairs of trains comprising 140 rakes under project Utkrisht. Of this, the Kongu Express from Coimbatore- Hazrat Nizamuddin is the first to be flagged off in Southern Railway.

Other trains to be upgraded are Tiruchy-Howrah superfast express (bi-weekly), Madurai-Delhi Hazrat Nizamuddin Sampark Kranti Express (biweekly), Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram AC Express (bi-weekly), KSR Bengaluru-Kochuveli Express (daily) and Mangaluru Central-Nagercoil Express (daily).

Additionally, the Mysuru-Thoothukudi Express (daily) run by the Southern Western Railway, and Dibrugarh-Kanniyakumari weekly express run by Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) will also get refurbished.