7 out of 9 double-deckers unviable: Rly board member

BHOPAL: Out of nine double-decker trains running in the country, seven including Indore-Bhopal AC are commercially not viable. In view of the same, Railways is taking a call whether they need to be redeployed on other routes.
"It has come to light that various double-decker trains in the country that links city, inter-city types are not a success. Whether we need to continue manufacturing of chair cars and if so where do we deploy them, will decide the fate of Indore-Bhopal double-decker which has barely 10% occupancy," said Railway Board member (traffic) Devi Prasad Pandey, who was in town to review third rail line between Bina and Habibganj.
He said, "Whether double-decker trains can run on long routes need to be examined. Redeployment is also not always viable."
Several coaches from Bhopal-Indore double-decker train were sent to Mumbai-Goa route owing to poor occupancy. However, that too is running at 40% occupancy as is Vijayawada-Secunderabad double-decker train, even though it was started on public demand. But Secunderabad-Tirupati route is mostly full, which again highlights the fact if only religious routes are viable."
In view of the same, chief commercial managers (CCM) across railway zones, where double-decker trains are plying have been told to review and take a call, he said.
Replying to question whether temporary halts extended by Railway Board at the behest of members of parliaments, Pandey said, "We have written to all MPs where the stops are commercially unviable as cost of the halt was more than sale of tickets. We requested them to review their requirement, but unfortunately majority of MPs have replied in the negative."
He however skirted an answer on whether all such stops would be scrapped or not. "We leave it to the good thinking of the MPs to come around otherwise we will hold a meeting with them state by state for scrapping the halts."
Pandey also reiterated there would be no privatisation of Railways but private investment, both from within the country and abroad are being actively sought to improve services and modernization and growth, something that would be reflected in the Railway Budget on February 26.
He held talks with railway officials including RVNL for early commissioning and completion of Bina-Habibganj section of third railway track after which Habibganj-Itarsi section would be taken up. As per discussions, the Habibganj-Bina section would be commissioned by March 2016.