Chennai: In a move to accommodate more differently-abled passengers, engineers at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) have redesigned the Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches.
Unlike the coaches that are made by the ICF, the LHB coaches do not have under slung batteries that are required to power the lights, fans and air-conditioning inside them.
For this purpose, the LHB coaches use diesel-powered cars that are fixed on both the ends of the LHB rakes, that is technically called as the ‘End-on-Generation power cars’ in the railway parlance. But for the safety purposes, there is a restriction in the number of coaches that can be attached to a rake.
“This has resulted in the reduction of the general unreserved coaches which is technically termed as the Brake-cum-Luggage vans including the ones that have portions reserved for persons with disabilities (Divyangjan),” said a senior ICF official.
He also said that the move was taken to accommodate more differently-abled passengers. “Hence, the engineers have redesigned the LHB coaches and moved the diesel generator to the underbelly of the coaches, there by giving more space,” the senior official added.
Considering the special needs of Divyangjan passengers, the ICF took up this project of redesigning the coach without compromising on the passenger area. Totally new design was developed and manufactured in nine months.
This coach has the diesel-generator set-up moved under the floor. The under slung power pack has created space for accommodating not only the general unreserved passengers – that seats 30 passengers- but also dedicates space for up to six specially-abled Divyangjan passengers.
“A specially designed toilet for the differently-abled has also been built. An automatic retractable footplate has been provided that enables the Divyangjan passengers to easily entrain and detrain even by using their wheel chairs,” the official said.
The coach has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 3.7 crore. The senior ICF official also added that the ICF administration has decided to ask for the feedback from the rail users. Five of these coaches have been planned for Southern Railway.