Patna: The Vibhuti Express, which runs between Rambagh and Howrah via Patna Junction, has been upgraded with modern Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches, marking a shift towards safer and more comfortable rail travel on the route.
On Monday, the 12334 Vibhuti Express departed for Howrah fitted entirely with LHB coaches and will now operate regularly with this new configuration, railway officials said. The train now runs with 17 coaches instead of the earlier 19, resulting in a reduction of around 50 seats overall.
Under the revised composition, the train includes seven sleeper coaches, three AC three-tier coaches, two AC two-tier coaches, one first AC coach and four general coaches. One sleeper coach and one AC three-tier coach have been removed for the time being, though officials said the number of coaches could be increased in future depending on demand.
The changes have led to adjustments in seating across classes. In AC three-tier, the number of coaches has come down from four to three, reducing capacity from 256 seats to 216 — a cut of 40 seats. In contrast, the switch to LHB design has increased seating in AC two-tier coaches, where capacity has risen from 46 seats to 52 per coach.
Sleeper class capacity has also been marginally reduced. Earlier, eight sleeper coaches together offered 576 seats. With seven LHB sleeper coaches, each accommodating 80 passengers, the total now stands at 560 seats — a reduction of 16. The number of general coaches remains unchanged at four.
Saraswati Chandra, chief public relations officer of the East Central Railway, said the upgrade would significantly improve passenger safety. “LHB coaches have anti-telescopic features, which prevent coaches from climbing over each other in the event of an accident,” he said. He added that the coaches are designed to absorb shocks more effectively and offer greater stability at higher speeds, along with a smoother and quieter ride.
Railway officials said the transition to LHB coaches on the Vibhuti Express is part of a broader effort to modernise rolling stock and improve safety standards across the network, even as capacity adjustments are reviewed based on passenger demand.
