Indian Railways is preparing a significant upgrade to its long-distance passenger fleet by **phasing out conventional LHB coach rakes on select services and replacing them with new Amrit Bharat 3.0 rakes. This move is part of a broader effort to modernise overnight travel while maintaining high capacity and comfort for passengers across long routes.
The Amrit Bharat 3.0 rakes, being manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, will combine air-conditioned (AC), sleeper and general class coaches in a single train set — unlike earlier Amrit Bharat rakes that were fully non-AC. These new rakes are designed with locomotives at both ends (push-pull configuration), which helps in smoother acceleration, reduces turnaround time at terminals, and targets maximum speeds of up to 130 km/h on suitable routes.
Why the Change Matters
For years, Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches have been the standard for Indian Railways long-distance services. These German-designed coaches have offered improved safety and ride comfort compared to older ICF-designed stock and have been progressively adopted throughout the network.
Under the new plan, however, Amrit Bharat 3.0 train sets will begin to replace LHB-railed passenger services on many long routes — including some well-known express services — once prototypes clear trials and receive certification for operation. These newer rake sets aim to deliver better reliability, a blended mix of coach classes suited for diverse ticket demand, and strong performance for overnight travel.
Production & Deployment Plans
According to rail sources, the ICF has already rolled out multiple Amrit Bharat rakes, and the production of additional sets is underway. A manufacturing plan has been drawn up to progressively increase the number of Amrit Bharat 3.0 rakes the railways can deploy on long-distance routes — after research, design and standards testing.
Alongside this shift, Indian Railways continues to expand its Amrit Bharat Express services, with around 30 such services currently operating across the country, linking major cities in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and more. These services use Amrit Bharat rolling stock to deliver high-capacity trains with practical amenities, especially on routes where affordable long-distance travel is in demand.
Looking Ahead
Replacing traditional LHB coaches with Amrit Bharat 3.0 rakes could reshape overnight travel on India’s rail network. With a balance of AC comfort and economy-class capacity, the strategy reflects Indian Railways’ ongoing commitment to modernise its assets, offer efficient long-distance services, and leverage indigenous manufacturing capabilities. As production scales up and rakes undergo testing, further rollouts are expected to follow over the coming years.
