Overview

• Central Railway unveiled its first prototype coach on July 5 by converting the middle luggage van in the sixth carriage at its Matunga Workshop.
• The redesigned compartment offers 13 ergonomically arranged seats, stainless steel tubular partitions with sight-level panels, integrated grab poles, knurled vertical poles near doorways and emergency ladders under doorframes.
• Feedback from elderly passengers will guide design refinements before phased implementation across Central Railway’s entire suburban EMU fleet.
• Western Railway has awarded a contract to convert one luggage compartment in each non-air-conditioned rake into dedicated senior coaches, with the first unit expected to enter service soon.
• The initiative aligns with Indian Railways’ broader strategy to modernize commuter services and enhance accessibility for vulnerable passenger groups.