Railways To Get 600 Coaches With Modular Interiors, Bio-Toilets, CCTVs To Make Trains Safer, Quieter
Within the next few months, Indian Railways will roll out 600 smarter LHB coaches featuring CCTV cameras, bio-toilets, modular interiors, and noise/vibration reduction technology for smoother and safer train journeys.
Defence public sector undertaking Bharat Earth Movers Ltd (BEML) has bagged the Rs 1,888 crore order from the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) to manufacture, supply, testing, and commissioning of complete fully functional Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches with the deadline of 15 months.
'The 600 coaches tender is a part of a broader nationwide production push that focuses on the comfort of the passengers," a Railway Ministry official explained.
The tender was floated in April. The production will cover 400 LHB General Second Class coaches (day coaches) and 200 LHB Sleeper Class coaches. The BEML has to deliver prototype shells and coaches within six months of receiving the Letter of Acceptance (LoA).
The new LHB coaches will offer modular interiors with improved durability and ease of maintenance. Each coach will be equipped with bio-toilets offering pressurized flushing systems for better hygiene and support environmental goals.
Each coach will also offer mobile charging facilities, backed by a 10-hour battery backup for lights and fans to ensure uninterrupted services during power outages.
The LHB coaches are a modern and safer alternative to the older ICF coaches. The ICF type of coaches have limitations in terms of speed potential, heavy corrosion, poor riding comfort and wearing of parts in the under gear.
Indian Railways entered into a Transfer of Technology contract with Germany for production of LHB coaches. Their inception and mass production in Railways started in 2002 with the first LHB coach introduced in December 2003.
Indian Railways stopped production of ICF coaches from April 2018 and shifted the focus to the production of LHB coaches. According to official government data, Indian Railways manufactured 7,134 coaches in 2024-25, a nine percent increase over the previous year's 6,541 coaches.
Production was led by the ICF Chennai with 3,007 coaches, Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala with 2,102 coaches, and Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Rae Bareli with 2,025 coaches. LHB coaches, based on German technology, are manufactured in India by these three firms. In 2025-26, the ICF is aiming to touch production with 4,000 coaches, including those outsourced.
Government data shows that since 2015, around 23,000 ICF coaches have already been replaced with LHB.
This manufacturing boost aligns with BEML's broader expansion plans. On August 10, the foundation stone for another unit of BEML in Madhya Pradesh's Umaria was laid. 'Brahma' – with an estimated investment of Rs 1,800 crore—is expected to be a game changer for the country's rail and defence manufacturing capabilities as it will facilitate indigenous design, production, assembly, and testing of Vande Bharat trains, modern metro coaches, and critical defence equipment. It is expected to generate over 5,000 employment opportunities over the next five years.
view comments
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
August 12, 2025, 12:01 IST
News india Railways To Get 600 Coaches With Modular Interiors, Bio-Toilets, CCTVs To Make Trains Safer, Quieter
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Tata Sons AGM marks SP Group thaw, Noel Tata joins board
At the Tata Sons AGM, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group approved all resolutions, signaling improved relations. Discussions are underway regarding SP Group's potential exit and monetization options, with Tata Sons exploring avenues. Revenue has nearly doubled and net profit has more than tripled over the past five years, with the group adopting a 'fitness first, velocity next' mantra. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The Tata Sons annual general meeting (AGM) saw Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group okaying all resolutions, leading to their unanimous approval, marking another advance in the thawing relations between the minority and majority previous years, SP Group, which holds 18.37% in the Tata group holding company, has either abstained from voting or objected to some resolutions. Tata Sons voted to appoint Noel Tata to the board and approved the reappointment of Venu Srinivasan and Saurabh Agrawal as directors. It also approved Anita George, cofounder and chief executive of emerging markets growth fund Prosperete, as an independent this was the first AGM held since the passing of Ratan Tata in October last year. His halfbrother, Noel Tata, is chairman of Tata Trusts , which holds a controlling 66% stake in Tata Sons. This was the company's 107th Sons has initiated early discussions with SP are exploring potential exit options and monetisation avenues in the unlisted holding company, currently pledged with lenders. People close to SP Group said it was optimistic about growth under the leadership of Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran, and is looking forward to constructive met SP Group chairman Shapoor Mistry a few times in the recent past, they added. These were the first formal interactions between the two sides since ties soured following the ouster of the late Cyrus Mistry, Shapoor's brother, as Tata Sons chairman in 2016. The talks are said to be Group nearly doubled revenue and more than tripled net profit and market cap over the past five years, when it spent Rs 5.5 lakh crore to be 'future fit' and has sought to alter strategies that 'may have aged poorly with time and changing economic conditions,' adopting a 'fitness first, velocity next' mantra, Chandra sekaran said in the latest Tata Sons annual report. Group revenue from all listed and unlisted entities was Rs 15.3 lakh crore in FY25, with net profit at Rs 1.1 lakh crore and market cap at Rs 37.8 lakh crore, it said. Tata Sons and SP Group did not AGM at Bombay House was led by Chandrasekaran and attended by Noel Tata and his children Leah, Maya and Neville on behalf of the smaller trusts. This was among the shortest AGMs in years, at about 20 minutes, said the people Mistry attended as a representative of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and Vijay Singh as a representative of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. Mistry, also one of the executors of Ratan Tata's will, proposed the appointment of Noel Tata as director and the passing of accounts. At last year's AGM, SP Group had expressed dissatisfaction over not being informed about Tata Sons' decision to apply to the Reserve Bank of India for deregistration as an Upper Layer Core Investment Company (UL-CIC). It had also voiced concerns about being left out of deliberations on the Tata Trusts' resolution that Tata Sons remain an unlisted private company. In January, RBI said in its annual report that it was reviewing Tata Sons' application for deregistration from the UL-CIC per regulations, companies classified as NBFC-UL are required to go public by September. Tata Sons had cleared all its debt obligations to meet the eligibility criteria for exclusion from this Ratan Tata's demise, longstanding tensions between the two groups have been easing, according to people close to them. Cyrus Mistry died in 2022 in a road accident. Noel Tata is married to the sister of the Mistry brothers. There currently appears to be room for constructive dialogue, potentially paving the way for a mutually agreed exit for the Mistry family from Tata Sons, said the people cited. SP Group has suggested Tata Sons consider the possibility of an IPO as a route to unlock value for shareholders, according to people in the Tata, who became chairman of Tata Trusts in October 2024, was nominated to the Tata Sons board by the trusts. He had been appointed additional director last year.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Rain-hit roads in Navanagar await repairs
Pic: The road at Karnataka Circle in Navanagar, Hubballi, is in bad shape, causing motorists Hubballi: Roads in Navanagar have been damaged for days due to rain. Stretches from Karnataka Circle to Namo Circle and PB Road to Kuvempu Road are in poor condition. Traversing the incomplete CC road from Gamanagatti to Karnataka Circle is a major hassle for motorists. Busy links to Gamanagatti industrial areas and tech parks remain unrepaired. According to the source, Nava Nagar is located between the Hubballi-Dharwad twin cities, about 10 km from Hubballi city. Navanagar has a cancer hospital, and many Union and State govt offices and commercial establishments are functioning. A CC road was constructed from Karnataka Circle to Gamanagatti at Rs 2.9 crore by the public works department. Some portion of the road at Karnataka Circle is yet to be constructed. Due to this, the road is in bad shape, and many potholes have formed, causing issues for motorists. During the rainy season, motorists find it hard to ride motorcycles on this road. Residents were demanding the completion of the CC road work. The stretch from PB Road to tech park has deteriorated. There are many companies functioning in the vicinity and the stretch connects to Karnataka State Law University. The road to Amar Nagar has also deteriorated. Shivaraj Hosamani, a resident of Amar Nagar, said that the road at Karnataka Circle is in bad shape. The CC road work has been left incomplete for many days. Due to the poor condition of the road, pedestrians and motorists face challenges when moving their vehicles. The four-wheelers passing on this road face hardship due to fear of ground clearance. The incomplete CC road has been disturbed, and the road should be completed soon, he urged. Kumar Angadi, a motorist from Gamanagatti, stated that the roads around Navanagar are in poor condition. Due to rainfall, it is becoming hard to commute in the area. Many companies are functioning in the Gamanagatti industrial area. The road is always busy. The authorities should complete the road work soon, he said. Sunita Malavadakar, corporator of HDMC Ward No. 27, said that the PWD has left the CC road incomplete. Soon, the remaining portion of the road work will be carried out using HDMC funds. For Ganesha festival, she has instructed to fill the potholes, she said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Mangaladevi Bus Terminal finally ready for use
Mangaluru: The Mangaladevi Bus Terminal, which was inaugurated twice by BJP and Congress representatives in Feb and remained idle for nearly six months, will soon be made operational. No buses to Mangaladevi were operating from the new bus terminal ever since it was inaugurated twice in Feb. After holding discussions with bus operators and other stakeholders, Mangaluru RTO Shridhar K Mallad decided that all buses to Mangaladevi should operate from the new bus terminal. He said the decision will be finalised at a meeting of the Road Transport Authority (RTA) to be chaired by deputy commissioner Darshan HV on Aug 18. He said that buses on the route will start entering the bus bay developed by the Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) once the RTA finalises the proposal. At a Transport Adalat organised by the RTO recently, the issue of the unused bus terminal at Mangaladevi was raised by the public. In fact, various projects, costing a total of Rs 5.9 crore, including a PHC, a veterinary hospital, and a bus bay measuring 110m in length and 11m in width, with a 4m wide footpath, were constructed by the MSCL. A foundation stone laying ceremony for the bus terminal and other projects at Mangaladevi ward was held under the leadership of Premananda Shetty during his tenure as mayor in 2021. Shetty said he also held discussions with MCC commissioner Ravichandra Naik and the RTO to put the bus terminal at Mangaladevi into use. It may be recalled that minister Rao inaugurated the projects, including a PHC, a veterinary hospital, a municipal staff complex, park, and the new bus terminal in Mangaladevi ward on Feb 15. Previously, the same facilities were inaugurated by the then mayor Manoj Kumar, Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta, and Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath, on Feb 9. However, the bus terminal was not yet made operational. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Independence Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
