LHB coach production rises 18% in FY26 so far: Railways

Indian Railways has reported an 18% increase in the production of Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches during the current financial year, reflecting steady progress in the modernisation of its passenger rolling stock.

Official figures show that more than 4,224 LHB coaches were manufactured in 2025-26 up to November, compared with 3,590 coaches during the corresponding period last year. The growth has been attributed to strengthened manufacturing capacity and improved production planning across railway production units.

Among the factories, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, accounted for the highest output with 1,659 coaches. It was followed by the Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, which produced 1,331 coaches, and the Modern Coach Factory (MCF), Raebareli, with 1,234 coaches.

A longer-term comparison highlights a significant expansion in LHB coach production over the past decade. Between 2014 and 2025, Indian Railways manufactured over 42,600 LHB coaches, an 18-fold increase from the 2,300 coaches produced between 2004 and 2014.

Railway officials said the sustained rise in output underscores the emphasis on replacing older passenger coaches with LHB designs, which offer higher safety standards, improved riding comfort and lower maintenance requirements.

Indian Railways said the scaling up of domestic production supports the objectives of the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, while helping meet growing passenger demand with safer and more comfortable travel options.