Parasuram Express to switch to LHB coaches; General coaches to be reduced from 16 to 9

Payyanur: The Parasuram Express will be converted to LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches.

The Mangaluru–Kanyakumari (16649) Parasuram Express will switch from conventional coaches manufactured from ICF to LHB coaches from September 22, while the Kanyakumari–Mangaluru (16650) service will make the switch from September 23.

The new train composition will include two AC Chair Cars, nine Second Sitting coaches, nine General Second Class coaches and one Second Luggage-cum-Brake Van.

The change, however, is a major setback for general passengers. The number of General coaches will come down from the existing 16 to nine. At present, the 16 coaches have 1,680 seats, with 105 seats in each coach. Under the new LHB configuration, the nine General coaches will have around 970 seats, with 108 seats per coach. This means general passengers will lose around 700 seats.

The existing train has 315 reserved seats across three sitting coaches. After the conversion to LHB coaches, the number of reserved seats will increase to 970. Railway authorities have explained that the reduction in General coaches is due to the higher demand for reserved tickets.

The Parasuram Express is one of the most heavily used trains in the state. Even with 16 General coaches at present, the train already witnesses heavy overcrowding.