East Central Railway (ECR) is gearing up to upgrade the Patna-Delhi Rajdhani Express under the new programme Project Swarn.

Under the programme the premier train will get a complete makeover and some new facilities like trolley service for catering and on-board entertainment like movies and music.

ECR general manager D.K. Gayen has received a letter from the railway board and formed a four-member committee to look after the project for significantly improving passenger experience on the Rajdhani.

Senior divisional mechanical engineer (Danapur) Chandan Kumar will head the four-member team.

The three other members on the committee include assistant divisional finance manager (Danapur) M.A. Haq, divisional commercial manager (Danapur) A.K. Pandey and divisional electrical engineer, Rajendra Nagar Coaching Complex, S.N. Rai.

The makeover is a 3-month programme and will bring change to 10 areas.

"The 10 areas that will see transformation include coach interiors, toilets, on-board cleanliness, punctuality, catering, linen, staff behaviour, security, on-board entertainment and real time feedback," ECR chief public relations officer Arvind Kumar Rajak said.

The railway board has approved up to Rs 1 crore for Rajdhani's renovation.

Field teams will be empowered to spend the amount after getting approval from the respective divisional railway managers (DRMs).

Railway has decided to upgrade 30 trains - 15 Rajdhanis and 15 Shatabdi Express trains.

The Patna-Delhi Rajdhani Express apart, Rajdhanis from Mumbai, Howrah, Ranchi and Bhubaneswar are among the 15 such trains selected for the upgrade.

The Howrah-Puri, New Delhi-Chandigarh, New Delhi-Kanpur, Howrah-Ranchi, Anand Vihar-Kathgodam Shatabdis are among 15 Shatabdis selected for the makeover exercise. There is no Shatabdi Express in ECR.

"Swarn trains will start runningfrom the last week of September. The railway minister will make a formal announcement," public relations officer Rajak said.

"In view of the short time left, necessary action would be taken by the ECR general manager to ensure its timely completion."

Time and again Rajdhani passengers have complained about the quality of food served on the train. In fact many parliamentarians, too, have complained about the same.

"On-board entertainment would mean passengers getting the opportunity to watch movies and television shows, apart from listening to music," Rajak said.

"Similarly, there will be greater deployment of security forces and comfortable seats will be added. Trolley service on the Rajdhani would be on the lines of those provided by airlines. Most passengers complain about cleanliness on trains. Under Project Swarn, special emphasis would be laid on this front."

The decision has been taken keeping the festive season in mind, during which passengers can be provided the best possible services.

"It is a very good decision on the part of railways," Boring Road resident Abhay Kumar said. "Considering that we pay premium prices for the premier train, we deserve the premier service too. Indian Railways should have upgraded the Rajdhani long back; however we are happy that finally it has been decided to provide better services on the train."