Kochi: The Indian Railways is vigorously pursuing the phased conversion of conventional rakes of passenger trains to the new ones comprising Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches that offer a better travel experience. As part of this, the Railways has approved 24 sleeper coaches for the Kanyakumari-Pune (Jayanti Janata) Express which resumed its service belatedly after the national shutdown of railway services over the COVID-19 pandemic.
In all four LHB rakes are required for the daily service of the popular Jayanti Janata. Earlier, the Railway Board had directed the Southern Railway to resume its operations by March-end.
While most trains that had suspended their operations during the pandemic have resumed service, the Jayanti Janata which originally ran between Kanyakumari and Mumbai CSMT was not restarted. Even as many protested against this delay, the train which used to run till Mumbai was restricted up till Pune following changes in the timetable.
Southern Railway does it fast
Meanwhile, the conversion of Ernakulam-Nizamuddin Mangala Express to LHB coaches was completed the other day. As many as six rakes of Mangala Express and one rake of Ernakulam-Patna Express were changed to LHB. A total of 166 coaches were thus changed.
The last rake of Mangala Express became LHB on February 15. With these changes, modern coaches have now been introduced in all its daily services.
Interestingly, the Southern Railway completed the coach conversion in just three months even though other zones complete the same task in six months.
With the introduction of high speed and safe LHB coaches, the timetable of Mangala Express will be reworked soon.
Third AC economy coaches in Garib Rath
Garib Rath trains may soon have third AC economy coaches too. These coaches will be allotted, subject to the completion of the validity period of existing coaches.
With the introduction of new coaches, the ticket fare of Garib Rath trains will also be increased.
Two Garib Rath Express trains that serve Kerala run between Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and Kochu Veli and Kochu Veli and Yeshwantpur.
Garib Rath Express is a no-frills air-conditioned train.
