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"The agreement with the Austrian SpiceJet and AirAsia India, has held a them in a moving train. An official said
Railway is scheduled for signing in next round of consultation with the airlines. rail travelers can file complaints either
month," officials said. on the website or the app which can
"Airlines had sought permission to be downloaded on mobile phones.
Austria and Switzerland are the only abolish the concept of free baggage
two countries in the world beside In- and provide incentives to passengers The passengers have to just feed in
dia that operate mountain railways. who travel without luggage. We are their PNR number on the mobile app
Besides Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji trying to formulate a mechanism to to register complaints related to their
terminal, three mountain railways in ensure the discount is uniform across coach. Soon after a passenger lodges
India are currently designated as airlines, and to allow airlines to charge complaint, an SMS with details of the
UNESCO World Heritage properties - for check-in baggage," said a senior coach and berth number will be for-
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (as- DGCA official. warded to an attendant on the train
cribed in 1999) followed by the Nilgiri instantly. Once the complaint is at-
Railways in 2004and the Kalka-Simla Under the proposal, passengers who tended to, the attendant will have to
Rail in 2008. travel light will get discounts while seek an acknowledgement from the
booking tickets. The airlines, planned complainant.
"The 162 year old Indian Railways is to charge Rs 199 for check-in baggage
abundant with properties and sites of weighing up to 15 kg if it is paid while India's first A/C DEMU
international and national importance, booking the ticket, and Rs 300 if pay- train in Kochi
but past railways ministers have paid ment is made at the airport.
scant attention to heritage conserva- Railway minister Suresh Prabhu re-
tion," an official said. Clean My Coach app cently flagged off India's first Diesel
soon: Central Railways Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) train
An extra penny for cabin service with an air-conditioned coach
baggage: DGCA In aligned with Modi government's in Kochi. The Angamaly-Ernakulam-
'Swachh Bharat' mission, the Railways Tripunithura-Piravom train service is
The Directorate General of Civil Avia- is to launch 'Clean My Coach' mobile expected to help in reducing traffic
tion (DGCA) is considering a proposal app for all long-distance trains in which congestion in the state's fastest grow-
to allow airlines to charge for cabin one can log a complain online if one ing city.
baggage for the passengers on domes- wish to get their railway coach cleaned
tic flights. in a matter of just 15 minutes. "It is for the first time in a DEMU ser-
vice, we have provided air conditioned
Travellers who choose not to carry such After successful testing of the scheme service. We want to increase it fur-
baggage will be rewarded for travel- in Central Railways, the transporter ther," Prabhu said at a function in
ling light in the form of an incentive plans to extend it to long routes across Ernakulam Junction. Top Railway offi-
scheme, or 'zero baggage fare', as per the country. It will ensure speedy cials said the AC coach provides reclin-
the broad guidelines being firmed up cleaning of coaches or toilets in long- ing type comfortable cushion seats for
by airlines in consultation with the distance trains which have housekeep- 73 passengers similar to air-condi-
regulatory body. ing facilities on board. tioned chair car of inter city express
trains.
The DGCA, received an application to Most of the long distance trains have
introduce 'zero baggage fare' from housekeeping staff on board, but pas- Other coaches of DEMU train are pro-
economy carriers such as IndiGo, sengers are often not able to trace vided with bench type cushion seats
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers."
36 PR COMMUNICATION AGE August 2015
