All long distance trains to have modern coaches

Conventional coaches on long-distance trains may soon be a thing of the past.

The Railways has decided to replace them with the modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) design coaches in all long distance trains.

To meet its goal, the national transporter had stopped the production of conventional coaches and ramped up the manufacturing of the LBH coaches.

"A week ago, a review meeting was held in Guwahati, where it was decided that all long-distance trains shall be replaced with LHB modern coaches," Railway Minister Piyush Goyal informed the Rajya Sabha.

He further said that the replacement is being done in a phased manner.

Goyal also said that the LHB coaches are being manufactured by the Railways from the year 2018-19.

LHB coaches, when compared to their conventional counterparts, have higher carrying capacity, lighter weight, higher speed, increased coral life and better safety features.

Unlike conventional coaches, they are equipped with strong couplers that prevent coaches from capsizing.

At present, all Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains are equipped with LHB coaches.