The Indian Railways has recently unveiled a new initiative aimed at enhancing passenger convenience while promoting sustainability aboard its Vande Bharat trains. In a bid to address concerns surrounding the preservation of natural resources, particularly drinking water, the railway authority has implemented a policy ensuring that each passenger is provided with a 500ml Rail Neer Packaged Drinking Water (PDW) bottle as a standard provision. Additionally, passengers can request extra bottles at no additional cost, reflecting the railways’ commitment to meeting travelers’ needs without compromising on environmental responsibility.
This move marks a departure from the previous practice of distributing one-liter water bottles, a standard provision on trains like the Rajdhani Express, which primarily serve long-distance routes. Recognizing the shorter travel distances covered by Vande Bharat trains compared to their long-haul counterparts, the Railways opted to introduce the smaller 500ml bottles, thereby aligning the provision more closely with passenger requirements.
Similar efforts to minimize water wastage have been observed on Shatabdi trains, where passengers now receive 500ml Rail Neer bottles instead of the conventional one-liter bottles. This adjustment, implemented by the Railway Board, aims to optimize resource utilization, particularly on journeys lasting around 8.5 hours, thus ensuring that water provisions remain commensurate with travel durations.
The Vande Bharat Express, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 15, 2019, represents a significant advancement in India’s railway infrastructure. Operating between New Delhi and Varanasi, these semi-high-speed trains boast cutting-edge features such as armor technology, enhancing safety by mitigating the risk of accidents like train collisions. Moreover, passengers onboard the Vande Bharat Express can enjoy amenities such as 180-degree swivel seats, reclining options, GPS-based audio-visual passenger information systems, and onboard hotspot Wi-Fi for entertainment purposes, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.