Lok Sabha Question No. 352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-12-12
Subject: LHB Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 352

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2018

## LHB COACHES

## †352. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the salient features of LHB coaches being manufactured by using new technique;
- (b) the manner in which they are different from old and conventional coaches;
- (c) whether the Railways is contemplating to attach LHB coaches in all the express trains keeping in view the safety of passengers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  various  steps  being  taken  by  the  Railways  to  check  the accidents  and  to  ensure  passenger  safety  and  whether  any scheme is being worked out for this purpose and if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) & (b): Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) design coaches are lighter in weight,  have  higher  carrying  capacity,  higher speed  potential, increased  codal  life  and  better  safety  features  as  compared  to Integral Coach Factory (ICF) design coaches.

(c)  &  (d):  The  passenger  coaches  plying  over  Indian  Railways  (IR) have been designed with the necessary safety features considering the operating conditions over IR.  However, with a view to providing safer  and  more  comfortable  journey  to  passengers,  it  has  been decided to run more trains with LHB coaches and replacing trains operating  with  conventional  ICF  coaches  by  LHB  coaches,  in  a phased manner.  Accordingly, as on 30.11.18, 308 pairs of trains are being operated with LHB coaches.

It has also been decided that only LHB  coaches would be manufactured by Production Units of IR from April 2018 onwards.

(e):  Safety  is  accorded  the  highest  priority  by  IR  and  all  possible steps are undertaken on a continual basis to prevent accidents and to  enhance safety.  These include timely replacement of over-aged assets, adoption of suitable technologies for upgradation and maintenance  of  track,  rolling  stock,  signalling  and  interlocking systems, safety drives, greater emphasis on training of officials and safety inspections at regular intervals to monitor and educate staff for observance of safe practices.  Preventive and predictive maintenance  of  the  Railway  assets  is  undertaken  to  ensure  safe train operation.  Safety devices/systems being used to prevent accidents include Electronic Interlocking, track circuiting, provision

of  Block  Proving  Axle  Counters,  Colour  Light  LED  Signals,  Train Protection and Warning System, Vigilance Control Device, Fog Pass Device, usage of 52 kg/60 kg, 90 or higher UTS rails and pre-stressed Concrete  Sleepers,  use  of  Ultrasonic  Flaw  Detection  of  rails  and welds at predefined periodicity to detect internal flaws in rails/welds.  Electronic  monitoring  of  track  geometry  is  carried  out to detect defects and plan maintenance.  Steel Channel Sleepers on girder  bridges  are  being  used  while  carrying  out  primary  track renewals.  Further, it has been decided to lay Thick webs switches, Weldable  Cast  Maganese  Steel  crossings  on  identified routes. Progressive use of LHB Coaches, use of Centre Buffer Couplers with ICF Coaches, etc.  Railway tracks are replaced on age-cumcondition  basis  through  track  renewal  works  which  is  an  ongoing process.  Other  measures  include  training  of  loco  pilots  and  other safety  category  staff,  improvement  of  their  working  conditions including proper rest and periodic medical examination etc. Besides, patrolling  of  tracks,  footplate  inspections  and  safety  reviews  at various levels, etc. are regularly conducted to continuously monitor and improve safety aspects of IR.

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