The Hindu Business Line : Tourist specials

In an attempt to encourage budget tourism, the Railways proposes to run tourist special ``Village-on-Wheels'' trains of ordinary sleeper class to places of religious and historical importance.

These trains will collect the tourists from a region and take them to important religious and historical places at affordable cost.

Free travel for job interviews

Unemployed youth attending interviews for selection to Central Government jobs will be given full concession in second class on production of a certified copy of the call letter and application.

With a view to recognising the sacrifices of defence personnel killed in action against terrorists and extremists, widows of defence personnel would be granted 75 per cent concession in second and sleeper classes.

Wholesome milk at canteens

An endeavour will be made to make available wholesome milk and milk products at all catering outlets.

With a view to providing pure and wholesome products to passengers and giving employment opportunities to dairy producers, as far as possible, these would be purchased from dairy units of the co-operative sector.

More PRS locations

As many as 74 locations would be added this year to the Passenger Reservation System (PRS).

Expansion of PRS available at nearly 1,100 locations in the country would also be continued to help passengers travelling by reserved compartments.

Medical relief institute

An institute of rescue and medical relief to deal with disaster management has been proposed at a cost of Rs 10 crore to give a fillip to training activities.

Couplers for bogies

In a bid to prevent coaches from climbing over each other during accidents, tight-lock centre buffer couplers would be progressively introduced in superfast trains.

The new coaches of German design and the bogies manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, which are fitted with these couplers will initially be introduced in four superfast trains — Tamil Nadu Express, Andhra Pradesh Express, Godavari Express and Charminar Express.