In an Indian government news update, several measures have been taken by Indian Railways to modernize / upgrade rail coaches of Mainline trains in the recent past. These include provision of improved interiors with upgraded fire retardant properties, Bio Toilets, Balanced Draft Gear for reducing the jerks in Centre Buffer Couplers (CBC) fitted coaches, Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting, Screw less Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) or Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) paneling for interiors, etc. Besides, a policy decision has been taken to proliferate Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches. LHB type coaches are based on new technology and are of superior design as compared to conventional Integral Coach Factory (ICF) type coaches.
In addition to the above, Humsafar trains having additional amenities in the coaches have recently been introduced for providing comfortable Air-Conditioned III Tier travel. Humsafar coaches have better passenger amenities, improved aesthetics, passenger announcement system, Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) based surveillance system, etc. Also, Antyodaya and Deen Dayalu coaches for unreserved travel, having additional amenities in the coaches, have been introduced in service. These coaches have features such as cushioned luggage racks, drinking water dispenser, pleasing interior and exterior with anti-graffiti measures, enhanced number of mobile charging points, etc.
Targets set for the manufacture of Humsafar/Deen Dayalu and Antyodaya coaches for the next three years, which are available now, are as under:
| Type of coach | 2017-18
(coaches) |
2018-19 (coaches) |
2019-20
(coaches) |
| Humsafar | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| Deen Dayalu | 385 | 384 | 392 |
| Antyodaya | 160 | 200 |
The modernization/upgradation of rail coaches of Mainline trains as a continual process is carried out based on availability of capacities/funds.
The zone-wise holding of coaches of Indian Railways, as on 31.03.2016 is as below:
| Zonal Railway | Number of coaches |
| Central Railway | 5241 |
| Eastern Railway | 4241 |
| East Central Railway | 3761 |
| East Coast Railway | 2572 |
| Northern Railway | 6659 |
| North Central Railway | 1473 |
| North Eastern Railway | 2702 |
| Northeast Frontier Railway | 2813 |
| North Western Railway | 2624 |
| Southern Railway | 6784 |
| South Central Railway | 4686 |
| South Eastern Railway | 3389 |
| South East Central Railway | 1146 |
| South Western Railway | 3439 |
| Western Railway | 4639 |
| West Central Railway | 1415 |
| Total | 57584 |
Indian Railways undertakes Mid-Life Rehabilitation (MLR) of Mainline coaches in a programmed manner depending upon the capacity and availability of funds. During 2016-17 (upto February 2017), 766 such coaches underwent MLR. It is planned to do MLR for around 1000 coaches in 2017-18.
As a part of MLR, selected number of coaches are being refurbished. Refurbished coaches with improved interiors, vibrant colour scheme, additional amenities, etc. have been inducted in the Mahamana Express running between New Delhi and Varanasi. Additional coaches are taken up for refurbishing based on sanctions under the Rolling Stock Programme and availability of capacities/funds.