Bhopal, June 10: In a bid to make travelling a comfortable experience, the Indian Railways has introduced massage services for all its passengers onboard trains. The massage services on board for passengers will be available in trains originating from Indore in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. A total of 39 trains originating from Indore will soon provide head and foot massage services to its passengers. According to reports, the foot or head massage services range between Rs 100 to Rs 300. Passengers can avail the services between 6 am and 10 pm. During night hours, i.e. from  10 pm to 6 am, these services will not be available. Indian Railways Brings Airplane-Like Shopping to Trains! Passengers Will Now Be Able to Shop Using Debit and Credit Cards. 

This initiative has been rolled out by the Indian Railways for the first time in its 174-year-long history. DRM Ratlam division, RN Sunkar was quoted saying by ANI saying that the Railway Ministry has given them directions to provide as much facilities as possible to passengers and so this service was started. "Railway Ministry has given us directions to provide as much facilities as possible to passengers. So we decided to start this. Agency designated. They'll appoint trained masseurs&provide their medical&other certificates to us,then we'll authorise them.", he said. First Passenger Train in India ran 165 Years ago. 

The official further added saying that the masseurs will travel as passengers and will carry their own tickets. With this, the Railways will be benefitted as there'll be more earning through these tickets and an additional benefit of Rs 20 Lakh per year. Passengers on-board can call for services through contact number in coaches. "We've already awarded tenders. Initially we'll have only masseurs and based on success of the project, we'll introduce masseuses", he added.

Last year in May, the Railways had notified all general managers of its 16 Railway zones by giving their divisional railway managers full powers to promote and execute new ideas and concepts to enhance non-fare revenues.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2019 08:43 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).