Lok Sabha Question No. 5481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Replacing LHB Coaches with ICF Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh, Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5481 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## REPLACING LHB COACHES WITH ICF COACHES

## 5481.  SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU: SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU.:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Railways has initiated the work of replacing the conventional ICF coaches with LHB coaches in trains at a rapid pace in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the salient features  and  benefits  thereof  and  the  total  number  of  coaches manufactured in each of the coach manufacturing units during the last three years, year- wise;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any time limit  by  which  all  the  existing  older  coaches  are  likely  to  be replaced by the new LHB coaches in all the railway zones in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Railways has also launched the aluminium goods trains in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details along with its salient features and the expansion plans thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)  Yes,  Sir.  Indian  Railways  have  undertaken  replacement  of trains  running  with  Integral  Coach  Factory  (ICF)  rakes.  This  is  an ongoing  process  subject  to  operational  feasibility  and  availability  of rolling stocks etc.

The  salient  feature  of  Linke  Hofmann  Busch  (LHB)  coaches  are  superior  riding  quality,    large  panoramic  windows,  provision  of    biotoilets,  sliding  type  fire  barrier  doors,  higher  seating  capacity,  FRP (Fibre  Reinforced  Plastic)  panels  in  AC  coaches,  sturdy  and  robust design to minimize damage and obviating capsizing of coaches during accidents, automatic coupling-center buffer coupler for enhanced safety and  anti-climbing  features,  superior  disc  brakes  &  efficient  brake system, superior microprocessor based AC etc. The  Number  of  LHB  coaches  manufactured  in  each  of  the  Production Units  namely  Integral  Coach  Factory  (ICF),  Rail  Coach  Factory  (RCF), Modern Coach Factory (MCF)/Rae Bareli, during the last three years is 6277  coaches  in  2019-20  (ICF-3419,  RCF-928,  MCF/RBL-1930),  4323 coaches  in  2020-21  (ICF-  1466,  RCF-  1497,  MCF/RBL-  1360)  and  6291 coaches in 2021-22 (ICF-2639, RCF-1840, MCF/RBL- 1812). (d)  and  (e)  61  number  of  Aluminium  Goods  Wagons  (BOBRNALHSM1) have been manufactured and launched in the country. Due to lesser tare weight, the throughput capacity of BOBRNALHSM1  is  higher as compared to existing BOBRNHSM1 wagon, material of higher densities can be loaded more in comparison to similar mild steel wagons for same axle load, less energy is consumed for hauling these wagons and these wagons  have  corrosion  resistant  property.  BOBRNALHSM1  type  of wagons  are  available  for  procurement  by  private  parties  under  the General  Purpose  Wagon  Investment  Scheme  (GPWIS).  As  on  date,  01 rake of BOBRNALHSM1 wagons has been inducted under GPWIS.

*****