NE BUSINESS BUREAU
CHENNAI, NOV 21
The Southern Railway on Wednesday announced that it has launched significant initiatives to enhance passenger safety and comfort by introducing modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches and standardizing trains with four General Second Class Coaches each. These efforts are focused on meeting the growing demand for safe and comfortable travel, particularly benefiting general passengers and to clear waiting lists.
- 24 train pairs standardized with LHB rake and 4 General Second Class Coaches: 7,900 additional seats added for general passengers
- 27 more train pairs to be upgraded by year-end, adding 5,600 seats for general class travelers
- Indian Railways is set to ease the daily travel for over one lakh passengers by adding 1,000 new general coaches to 370 trains by the end of November 2024
Southern Railway standardizes 24 train pairs with LHB rakes
“Indian Railways is set to ease the daily travel for over one lakh passengers by adding 1,000 new general coaches to 370 trains by the end of November 2024. To contribute to the above said target of Indian Railways, Southern Railway has successfully standardized 24 train pairs with LHB rakes with 4 General Class Coaches in each train, generating an enhanced seating capacity for 7,900 passengers. This includes the inclusion of 79 General Second Class coaches, known for their advanced safety features and superior riding comfort,” a Southern Railway release said.
Some of the popular trains now equipped with LHB coaches & standardised with 4 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 and more
Further, by December 2024, 27 more train pairs will be standardized with the addition of 56 LHB coaches, benefiting an additional 5,600 passengers.
Indian Railways’ ambitious initiative
Indian Railways is set to ease the daily travel for over one lakh passengers by adding 1,000 new general coaches to 370 trains by the end of November 2024. Already, 583 coaches have been deployed in various trains across the country, with the remaining coaches to follow shortly. In a more ambitious move, Indian Railways plans to introduce 10,000 non-AC coaches over the next two years, further boosting capacity to accommodate over eight lakh additional passengers daily.
These initiatives are being supported by manufacturing units like the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, and the Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, which are working tirelessly to meet deadlines. The focus on LHB coaches ensures advanced safety standards and a better travel experience.
Through these transformative measures, Southern Railway and Indian Railways are committed to meeting the growing needs of passengers and ensuring safer, more efficient journeys for millions of rail users every day.
