HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Nov 21: Indian Railways is upgrading ten pairs of trains under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) from conventional ICF coaches to modern LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) rakes during the 2025-26 financial year. The move is part of a broader modernization drive aimed at improving passenger safety, comfort and operational efficiency.
LHB coaches offer superior safety features, higher speed potential, lower maintenance requirements and an overall improved travel experience. Of the ten pairs identified for conversion, five have already been upgraded between June and August 2025, including trains on the Kishanganj–Ajmer, New Jalpaiguri–Digha, Kolkata–Jogbani, Danapur–Jogbani and Saharsa–Jogbani routes.
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Three more pairs—Tinsukia Junction–Naharlagun, Sealdah–Sabroom and Sealdah–Silchar—are scheduled for conversion by the end of November 2025. Two additional pairs, Agartala–Dharmanagar and Silchar–Agartala are planned for LHB conversion in January 2026.
NFR plans to expand LHB deployment further in the coming years, evaluating more train conversions based on operational feasibility, demand and availability of rolling stock. This transition is a significant step towards a fully LHB-based fleet, ensuring safer and more reliable rail services across the Northeast.
