Dhanbad passengers visiting south Indian cities for medical treatment would have more comfortable journey on board the most popular train for South India Dhanbad Alappuzha Express (13351/13352) which is also known as Allepey express.

All this, as the traditional Integral Coach Factory rakes of the train would soon be replaced with comfortable and safe Link-Hoffman-Bush (LHB) rake.

The process for procuring six LHB coaches have already been initiated.

Before the LHB coach introduction, the train is likely to have 1st AC coach from April 11.

Notably, the train, which travels around 2411 km between Dhanbad to Alappuzha making 74 halts altogether, is also considered favorite for a large of number of migrant workers of Jamtara, Godda, Sahibganj, Pakur, Giridih.

The LHB coaches have a sleeker finish, better suspension, sound reduction and better ride quality. The coaches also boast of larger windows, more charging points, comfortable seating arrangement etc.

The LHB Coaches which are also longer than the ICF coaches are considered safer during the case of accidents.

The tested maximum speed of the ICF coach is 160 KMPH while the maximum speed of LHB coach is 180 km and there is no issue of oil leakage with the LHB coaches which is a common problem with ICF Coaches.

The LHB Coaches also require lesser maintenance. The periodic overhauling of the new coaches coaches are required after 36 month or 10 lakh kms of journey compared to ICF coaches which needs to overhauled after 18 months or 4 lakh kilometers.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of Dhanbad Avinash Kumar Pandey said, “ Exhisting ICF Rakes of all trains would gradually be replaced with LBH coach and Dhanbad Alappuzha express coach replacement with LBH Coach is in pipeline and also in priority list.”

"So far the only one train coach originating from Dhanbad has been replaced with LHB Coach and that is Ganga Sutlej Express running between Dhanbad Junction and Firozpur Cantonment Junction,” further said Pandey.