A New Era In Rail Travel: India To Introduce Its First Cargo-Passenger Coach Soon

The Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala in Punjab has designed a double-decker coach for the Indian railways, inspired by the belly freight concept.

This innovative coach, set to be launched in August, will feature 46 seats on the executive upper deck, complete with a pantry and toilets. The lower deck will have the capacity to store up to six tonnes of cargo.

During the Covid pandemic, when passenger movement was low and cargo transportation became the primary source of revenue for the Railways, the concept for this double-decker coach was developed.

After considering multiple designs, the Railway Board approved the final design. The price details are yet to be finalised, but each coach is expected to cost between Rs 2.70 to Rs 3 crore.

The concept of utilising the lower deck for cargo transportation while passengers occupy the upper deck, similar to the belly freight concept used in aeroplanes, has been incorporated into the design of this coach. This approach allows for better utilisation of space, as some airlines combine cargo with passenger traffic to maximise occupancy rates.

Ashesh Agrawal, the general manager of RCF, Kapurthala, shared that they are in the process of manufacturing the first cargo liner in the country, which is likely to be launched in August, according to The New Indian Express report.

The prototype coach is expected to be ready by next month and will be sent for trial to the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), a research and development organisation under the Ministry of Railways.

If the trial is successful, more coaches will be manufactured and rolled out based on the concept of cargo liners.

Once these coaches pass the trial phase, the Railways plans to manufacture two trains with 20 coaches each. These trains, based on the concept of cargo liners, will run regularly on a fixed route between designated points, transporting various commodities.

In the financial year 2022-23, the Railways experienced a significant growth in freight revenue, reaching Rs 1.62 lakh crore, a 15 per cent increase compared to the previous year. It has been reported that the RCF, Kapurthala will also manufacture 16 coaches of the Vande Bharat train during the current financial year.

What is the belly cargo concept?

The belly cargo concept refers to the transportation of goods in the lower deck of an aircraft, typically used for carrying passengers. It maximises the use of available space and allows for efficient transportation of cargo alongside passenger baggage.

Belly cargo refers to freight that is stored underneath the main deck of an aeroplane or in the holds of a ship. The suitability of shipping via belly freight depends on various factors.

When considering belly freight as a shipping option, it is important to take into account the nature of the goods and the weight and measurements of the consignment. Additionally, the technical preconditions of the aircraft also play a role. For instance, the height of a passenger aircraft's lower deck can limit the maximum height of cargo pieces.

Apart from the height limitation, there are other factors that can impose limitations on belly cargo shipping. These may include restrictions on the type of goods that can be transported, as well as any regulations or safety requirements that need to be followed.

Security standards and checks in passenger aviation are more stringent compared to cargo-only aviation. This applies to the types of substances that are permitted on the aircraft.