Kapurthala, Dec 14 (UNI) The Rail Coach Factory (RCF) has started the production of ''crash worthy'' coaches to ensure the safety of passengers in case of accidents.

The RCF rolled out the first ''crash worthy'' coach two days ago, RCF General Manager S K Suri said here today.

Describing the features of these coaches, the GM said each coach was fitted with a central buffer coupler which would stop the climbing of coaches on each other at the time of accidents.

The small sections adjacent to the lavatory have been kept weaker to absorb the impact of shock during the collision and the crash will also have lesser impact on the remaining part of coach resulting in the safety of passengers.

The GM disclosed that RCF would manufacture 242 'crash worthy' coaches, including AC and non-AC, during this year.

The design of 'crash worthy' coach was approved after a number of trial and a ''crash worthy'' prototype coach was developed by the factory about one-and-a-half year ago, he said.

During trials, the coach was smashed against a wall at a speed of 40 kilometer. The design was approved by the railway after incorporating some improvements in the coach.

Even if these coaches collided at a high speed, only the lavatory portion of the coach would be damaged and the passengers would suffer only minor injuries. The risk to life was greatly minimised, the GM said.

The coach was developed in two years with the joint efforts of RCF engineers, RDSO Lucknow and RITES, he said.

He said ICF, Chennai has also adopted this technology to manufacture 'crash worthy' coaches.

ICF General Manager Sabita Gopal visited the RCF two days ago and inaugurated the first 'crash worthy' coach, he said.

UNI