The Ambala Division of the Northern Railway plans to introduce sleeping pods at the Kalka railway station to enhance passenger experience.
The Kalka–Shimla railway section is a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site. Railway officials said efforts were being made to strengthen its position as one of the premier heritage tourism destinations.
As per information, the Ambala Division has identified a site at the station and will invite private facilitators through an auction. Besides sleeping pods, the passengers will also get access to the PM Jan Aushadhi Kendra facility.
On the lines of ‘nap pods’ at airports, where passengers can rest for some time before continuing their journey, sleeping pods at the Kalka station will allow passengers to rest for a few hours, said officials.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Ambala Division Yashanjit Singh said, “A large number of tourists arrive at Kalka and Shimla, especially during summer, and for their convenience, summer special trains are introduced. Efforts are also being made to improve passenger amenities. The Kalka station has been developed under the Amrit Bharat Station initiative.”
“Apart from operating regular train services between Kalka and Shimla, the Railways is offering charter services to provide a unique travel experience to tourists visiting the scenic hill section. The Ambala Division is committed to preserving heritage while simultaneously upgrading passenger comfort, safety, and tourism infrastructure on one of the country’s most iconic railway routes,” an official informed.
While maintaining the heritage status, modernisation works were also being undertaken across the Kalka–Shimla section and conventional vacuum brake coaches were being converted into air-brake coaches in a phased manner. Two rakes of air-brake coaches had been introduced earlier this year while work on a third rake was currently in progress. As many as 75 narrow-gauge coaches had been retrofitted with bio-toilets, said officials.
Trials and commissioning activities of newly built narrow-gauge coaches manufactured by the Rail Coach Factory (RCF) were also underway, and sectional trials of the self-propelled Diesel Hydraulic Multiple Unit (DHMU) were being conducted. The DHMU would run at a speed of around 22-23 kmph, they added.
