Repurposing Railway Coaches: An Innovative Idea for Education

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recognized the potential in converting decommissioned railway coaches into mobile libraries or classrooms, as suggested by MP Sudha Murty. Although no proposal has been submitted, Vaishnaw acknowledged the idea's educational benefits while highlighting the challenges of maintaining such units and their unsuitability for movement.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw commended MP Sudha Murty for her interest in utilizing decommissioned railway coaches as mobile libraries or classrooms, an idea she proposed in Rajya Sabha.

In his written response on Wednesday, Vaishnaw described the concept as beneficial for promoting literacy and education, though he confirmed no formal proposal had been made. Murty's inquiry specifically addressed the transformation of old coaches to aid rural and slum education.

Vaishnaw cautioned that while the initiative is commendable, maintaining the coaches is crucial for safety. Additionally, these decommissioned units are stationary and cannot serve as mobile facilities, limiting their functional potential.

(With inputs from agencies.)