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Manufacturing units such as the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala are working tirelessly to meet the rising demand.
Southern Railway plans to expand this initiative further by December 2024, standardising 27 additional train pairs with 56 more LHB coaches.(Representational/File)
Southern Railway has launched a series of upgrades to enhance passenger safety and comfort, including the introduction of modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches.
This is part of Indian Railways’ broader plan to meet the growing demand for safer and more comfortable travel options, as well as to tackle long waiting lists.
According to Financial Express, by November 2024, Indian Railways plans to add 1,000 new general coaches across 370 trains, benefiting over 100,000 passengers each day.
Southern Railway has taken a lead in this initiative, standardising 24 train pairs with LHB rakes that include four General Second Class coaches per train, increasing seating by 7,900. Additionally, 79 new General Second Class coaches have been added to improve both safety and comfort.
Key trains now featuring LHB coaches with four General Second Class coaches include:
- Train No. 12621/12622: Dr MGR Chennai Central – New Delhi – Dr MGR Chennai Central Express
- Train No. 12685/12686: Dr MGR Chennai Central – Mangaluru – Dr MGR Chennai Express
- Train No. 20601/20602: Dr MGR Chennai Central – Bodinayakkanur – Dr MGR Chennai Express
- Train No. 12693/12694: Tuticorin – Chennai Egmore – Tuticorin Express
- Train No. 12665/12666: Kanniyakumari – Howrah – Kanniyakumari Express
- Train No. 16338/16337: Ernakulam – Okha – Ernakulam Express
- Train No. 12617/12618: Ernakulam – Hazrat Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express
- Train No. 22648/22647: Kochuveli – Korba – Kochuveli Express
By December 2024, Southern Railway plans to expand further, with 27 more train pairs receiving 56 additional LHB coaches, providing an extra 5,600 seats for passengers.
On a national level, Indian Railways has already deployed 583 new general coaches and aims to introduce 10,000 non-AC coaches in the next two years. This expansion will increase capacity for over 800,000 additional passengers daily, easing overcrowding and improving travel comfort.
With manufacturing support from units like the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Indian Railways is dedicated to providing safer, more comfortable travel with upgraded LHB coaches.
