No more window curtains in AC coaches? Indian Railways takes this decision, check details
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, the Indian Railways had temporarily removed window curtains and had also advised passengers to bring their own blankets. However, the temporary decision has been made permanent now, as the Railways has now decided to get roller blinds for all its air-conditioned cars, instead of curtains.
The curtains for berths had been advised to be removed in 2018 by an inquiry committee recommendation. The committee said that the curtains help in spreading fires in coaches. However, the curtains on windows remained useful in hot and sunny climate, to protect passengers from the sun and heat.
After many experiments, Indian Railway has finally decided to install Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) sheets in a coach of Howrah-New Delhi AC Special train. In this, a passenger will be able to make the window glass from transparent to opaque, with the press of a switch.
