Question : LHB Coaches

(a) whether the Railways took a decision to replace the conventional AC and non-AC coaches with new Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches in all trains by the end of 2016;

(b) if so, whether while passengers complain of rattling and unclean coaches in many express/passenger trains, whereas LHB coaches;

(c) if so, the number of coaches procured and number out of them have not been utilised so far along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether the LHB coaches have not been allocated to the zones as per their size or as per their requirement and if so, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to use these LHB coaches and provide more LHB coaches in high speed trains under the Southern Railways?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) No, Madam.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) to (e) About 3300 LHB coaches have been made available from production units for the purpose of utilization as new service as well as replacement. Production and the allotment of coaches is an ongoing process. Allocations of LHB coaches to all zonal Railways including Southern Railway are being done keeping in view the production, requirement and infrastructure for maintaining LHB coaches available at Zonal Railway.

*****