GUWAHATI: The Northeast Frontier (NF) Railway has started an initiative to convert old train coaches which are not fit for use into restaurants. Two such restaurants are fixed to be functional in Guwahati.
The initiative expects to generate non-fare revenue for the Railways and is expected to create employment for both skilled and unskilled workers in the NF Railway.
A Railway official told G Plus, “The NF Railway has decided to use old and out-of-service coaches as coach restaurants to beautify railway station premises and also earn non-fare revenues. There is a push to convert all old coaches into the much safer LHB (Red) coaches. It is a positive step that can be exploited to create employment and will give something new, interesting to explore for tourists.”
The NF Railway has already opened one such coach restaurant at Katihar and another coach restaurant is also ready to be operational at the New Jalpaiguri station. Works for setting up 15 more such coach restaurants at various locations over the five divisions namely Katihar, Alipurduar, Rangia, Lumding, and Tinsukia have also been finalised, a statement by the NF Railway read.
Setting up of coach restaurants at Rangiya and Rangapara North of Rangia division is already underway. Three coach restaurants in the Lumding division, two in Guwahati and one in Diphu, and one coach restaurant at New Tinsukia of the Tinsukia division have been finalised.
Moreover, 43 locations over the NF Railway have been selected for introducing such coach restaurants. Coach restaurants are being planned and works are under progress at 6 locations in Katihar, 8 in Alipurduar, 14 in Rangia, 11 in Lumding and 4 in Tinsukia divisions, the statement further read.