Mumbai-Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express to get flight-like luxurious Anubhuti coaches

Commuters can now experience 'flight-like' luxury in the Anubhuti coaches that will soon be unveiled. Anubhuti - meaning experience, is a chair car that will first be added to the Ahmedabad bound Mumbai Shatabdi Express, among others. These coaches, built at the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai have been estimated to cost Rs 2.84 crore.

These coaches were first announced in 2013 by the UPA government when rail minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had proposed the induction of these coaches in the Rail Budget. However, these coaches never saw the light of the day until now.

The Anubhuti coaches are equipped with plush seats, more leg-space and an LCD in every seat, bio-toilets, Braille integrated seat stickers, diffused lighting, headphones and passenger information display in the middle of the coach. There are automatic doors and the lighting has been designed to make the coaches more appealing.  USB slots and call buttons have also been fitted above the seats, making it easier to summon coach attendants. There are tray tables that slide back into the space under the armrest like in airplanes.

 

Anubhuti coach for better riding comfort and amenities shall soon be attached to Shatabdis:
Member Traffic inspected the coach and directed officials for ensuring content on demand on board and improved catering services. pic.twitter.com/ebPPM1Pw5u

- Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 13, 2017

The washrooms, located on both ends of the coach are equipped with Jaguar fittings. There is a public announcement system, a mini pantry and there are fire extinguishers fitted at the entrance.

 

The doors of these coaches can be opened with the touch of a finger, and the sensors close the doors if no one is blocking it. The Anubhuti coaches also have large windows, along with blinds.

Indian Railways' new Anubhuti coaches are specially designed to provide more comfort and aircraft-like amenities to its passengers. Check out some of the exciting new features of these luxurious coaches. pic.twitter.com/Ptx4xnzlbu

- Piyush Goyal Office (@PiyushGoyalOffc) December 12, 2017

"There are 10 coaches that the ICF has manufactured and they have been given to various railway divisions. Western Railway has received two and they will be attached to the Shatabdi trains soon," says Ravinder Bhakar, chief public relations officer of the Western Railway. Two more of these coaches have been given to the Central Railways, while rest of the six coaches have been given to the Northern Railway. Once Shatabdi Expresses are fitted with these super-luxurious coaches, Anubhuti coaches for Rajdhani Expresses will be allotted.

 

The Anubhuti coaches will have about 50 seats and the fares for these coaches will be higher than that of the AC 1 executive class.

Anubhuti coaches have reached Mumbai Central where they will be kept until the railway board decides the fee that each passenger has to bear to travel in them.