6 days ago
Railways To Get 600 Coaches With Modular Interiors, Bio-Toilets, CCTVs To Make Trains Safer, Quieter
'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 said
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.
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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
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