Surat: In a move aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and safety, Western Railway has decided to upgrade the Udhna–Bandra Terminus Special Fare Special Train (No. 09055/56) by replacing its existing ICF coaches with modern LHB coaches from the end of this month.

According to railway officials, the new LHB rake will be introduced in Train No. 09056 departing from Udhna from May 30, 2026, while Train No. 09055 departing from Bandra Terminus will operate with LHB coaches from May 31, 2026.

The shift to LHB coaches is expected to provide passengers with a safer, smoother and more comfortable travel experience. Compared to conventional ICF coaches, LHB coaches are equipped with advanced technology and are considered safer due to their anti-telescopic design, which reduces the risk of severe damage during accidents. They also offer reduced noise and vibration levels, improving comfort during long-distance journeys.

With the introduction of the new rake, the train’s overall coach composition has also been revised. The service, which currently operates with 17 ICF coaches, will now run with 16 LHB coaches. Railway authorities said the reduction in coach count has also led to a decrease in the number of general unreserved coaches, resulting in a revised reservation quota allocation.

Western Railway has instructed all concerned departments to implement the necessary operational and reservation-related changes. Updates in the reservation system will be introduced according to the Advance Reservation Period (ARP) schedule.

Officials added that special monitoring arrangements have been made during chart preparation at Udhna Junction to ensure passengers do not face inconvenience until the updated coach composition is fully reflected in the railway database.

The decision is expected to benefit thousands of daily passengers travelling between South Gujarat and Mumbai by offering a more modern and improved travel experience. DeshGujarat