(a) whether the Railways propose to redesign the coaches with the use of fire retardant material and also providing with more emergency exits in the coaches;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the time frame set for implementation thereof;
(c) whether the Railways propose to introduce public address system in trains; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI K.H. MUNIYAPPA)
(a) & (b) Coaches are being provided with fire retardant materials in the interior furnishing. Specifications of these fire retardant materials are also upgraded as a part of continual improvement in passenger safety. Presently minimum four emergency exits are being provided in passenger coaches and further increase of emergency exits is also under examination.
(c) & (d) Public Address System are being provided in prestigious trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi & Durontos. Besides, projects to introduce public address system in superfast trains on Indian Railways and suburban trains in Kolkata, Chennai & Delhi are also sanctioned.