The Konkan Kanya Express and the Mandovi Express, two of the busiest trains on the Konkan Railway line, will get new and improved Germandesigned coaches from next month.
Railway authorities have decided to replace the existing, older coaches made at the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai with Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches from June 10. The new coaches are expected to be more comfortable and safer.
A Konkan Railway official said the number of seats in an LHB coach will go up from 72 to 80.
Both the Konkan Kanya and the Mandovi express trains came into being more than 20 years ago and ply between Mumbai and Goa daily.
The LHB coaches are made of stainless steel with aluminium interiors, making them lighter than ICF coaches. They also have a modular interior with integrated ceiling lights and luggage racks.
“The hydraulic shock absorber and improved suspension system of LHB coaches ensure greater riding comfort for the passengers,” said LK Verma, chief spokesperson of Konkan Railway.
Verma also said that the air conditioning system of the LHB coaches is superior to the older coaches and is controlled by a microprocessor that can adjust cooling levels accordingly in summer and winter.
LHB coaches are also linked using centre buffer coupling and come equipped with anti-collision technology, which prevents them from crashing into each other in case of an accident.
{{/usCountry}}LHB coaches are also linked using centre buffer coupling and come equipped with anti-collision technology, which prevents them from crashing into each other in case of an accident.
{{/usCountry}}On April 24, HT had reported that the Deccan Queen, which operates between Mumbai and Pune, will get LHB coaches by the end of the year.
According to Central Railway, this is part of a plan to replace coaches of all outstation trains.