In a significant move to improve passenger comfort and safety, Southern Railway has introduced modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches and standardized several trains with four General Second Class (SC) coaches.

According to Financial Express, by the end of November 2024, Indian Railways plans to introduce 1,000 new general coaches across 370 trains, benefiting over one lakh passengers daily. Southern Railway has already made progress by standardizing 24 train pairs with LHB rakes that include four General Class coaches on each train, increasing seating capacity by 7,900 passengers. 

Additionally, 79 General Second Class coaches have been added to improve safety and enhance the comfort of passengers. Several trains have already been upgraded with LHB coaches and are now standardized with four General Second Class coaches. Some of these trains include:

  • Train No. 12621/22: Dr MGR Chennai Central – New Delhi – Dr MGR Chennai Central Express
  • Train No. 12685/86: Dr MGR Chennai Central – Mangaluru – Dr MGR Chennai Express
  • Train No. 20601/02: Dr MGR Chennai Central – Bodinayakkanur – Dr MGR Chennai Express
  • Train No. 12693/94: Tuticorin – Chennai Egmore – Tuticorin Express
  • Train No. 12665/66: Kanniyakumari – Howrah – Kanniyakumari Express
  • Train No. 16338/37: Ernakulam – Okha – Ernakulam Express
  • Train No. 12617/18: Ernakulam – Hazrat Nizamuddin – Ernakulam Mangala Lakshadweep Express
  • Train No. 22648/47: Kochuveli – Korba – Kochuveli Express

By December 2024, Southern Railway is set to expand this initiative further by standardizing 27 more train pairs with 56 additional LHB coaches, offering 5,600 extra seats for passengers.

This large-scale expansion is supported by key manufacturing units, including the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai and the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, which are working to meet the rising demand for LHB coaches

Indian Railways is also pushing forward with plans to introduce 10,000 non-AC coaches over the next two years to help alleviate overcrowding and enhance travel comfort. Railways has already deployed 583 new general coaches across the country, which will accommodate over eight lakh additional passengers daily.