Happiness is an entertaining rail journey! Sit back, relax and tune into your favourite FM radio station right on the train.
The Indian Railways plans to roll out a Rail Radio service for the entertainment of the passengers. The service would also come handy in emergency situations.
Soon, passengers would not only be able to tune into popular FM radio stations, but also get updates related to trains, every hour. Besides astrology and jokes, major activities of the Indian Railways will be a part of the service.
As told by a senior official of the Ministry of Railways, “We are in the process of finalising arrangements with a few leading FM radio stations to provide entertainment as well as information to passengers onboard about 1000 Mail and Express trains including Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Duronto”.
In his budget speech (2016-17), Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu proposed to invite FM radio stations for providing entertainment through Public Address (PA) system on the trains. He said, “Once Rail Radio service is operationalised, all these premier trains will be linked with the system”.
The aim is to set up studios at all zonal headquarters and Railway Board to facilitate the operation of the Rail Radio service. The senior official further added, “It will be easier to reach out to passengers during an emergency through PA system from the headquarters. There will be a slot for educating and creating awareness among passengers on disaster management.”
To further the comfort and convenience of train passengers, the Railways also plans to introduce well-designed seating, water level indicators, and dustbins that are easily accessible in the coaches.
The public sector giant also plans to make available the bilingual onboard magazine Rail Bandhu in all Express and Mail trains. Presently, the magazine is provided only in Duronto, Rajdhani, and Shatabdi trains. Rail Bandhu will be also be published in regional languages as told by the official.
