Indian Railways To Standardise Train Fleet With LHB And Vande Bharat Coaches For Greater Efficiency

Indian Railways is planning to streamline its passenger coaches on the network, reducing the number of options from 28 to just two: Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) and Vande Bharat.

This move is aimed at reducing maintenance costs and bringing uniformity to the coach building industry.

By standardising the coaches, the railway expects to generate profit by effectively managing maintenance expenses.

“In the next five to six years, there will only be Linke Hofmann Busch and Vande Bharat type coaches on the Indian Railways,” a top government official stated, as per Economic Times report.

This strategic decision is similar to the approach taken by successful airlines, which opt for a specific type of aircraft to lower upkeep costs.

By limiting the variety of coaches, the railway can focus on efficient maintenance practices and potentially bring up its profitability.

The Indian Railways has allocated Rs 9792.88 crore for Repairs and Maintenance in the Budget 2023-24. By implementing standardised models, the railway aims to reduce maintenance costs by 40 per cent.

In addition to cost management, the Railways plans to introduce new trains specifically designed for lower-income passengers, with a focus on migrants.

These trains will have non-air-conditioned coaches and will operate on routes where there is a high demand for affordable tickets.

According to railway officials, these new trains will connect Assam, Punjab, Eastern UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Delhi.

The selection of these routes was based on a survey conducted by the Indian Railways.

Unlike seasonal special train services that are introduced during peak demand periods, these trains will be permanent fixtures aimed at alleviating the pressure on other trains operating on these routes.

The official also said that changes are being planned in the design of LHB coaches to make them safer for passengers.

“Open doors in coaches during the journey will soon be eliminated. The train coaches will also be retrofit to ensure that harm to passengers is minimised during accidents,” he added.

According to the ministry, the LHB coaches are equipped with cutting-edge technologies such as disc brakes, a hydraulic suspension system, a centre buffer coupling system, and side suspension.

These advanced features ensure that passengers can experience a higher level of comfort and safety during their journey.