North Eastern Railway (NER) is facing a major issue with 154 hybrid coaches that have been idle for years. These coaches, worth approximately 300 crore rupees, cannot be operated due to technical glitches. Because they have not reached their official operational age, they cannot be condemned yet.
Why are these hybrid coaches not running?
These coaches were based on German technology and were allocated to NER in 2008-09. While they worked fine initially, they started failing one by one due to problems with small spare parts. By 2019, more than 150 coaches became non-operational. Since their operational life lasts until 2031, the railway cannot scrap them.
How is this affecting railway tracks?
The idle coaches are occupying significant space, which has blocked about 4 kilometers of track across five loop lines for the last seven years. The distribution of these coaches is as follows:
| Location | Number of Coaches | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Izzatnagar Division (4 stations) | 150 Coaches | Track blockage |
| Nakaha Station (Lucknow Division) | 2 Coaches | Loop line non-operational |
What is the official response from NER?
Sumit Kumar, CPRO of NER, stated that the railway focuses on passenger benefit. He mentioned that LHB coaches are safer and provide better facilities, which is why they are replacing older hybrid and conventional coaches. The mechanical department of NER has already asked the Railway Board for directions on how to handle these idle coaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When will these hybrid coaches be retired?
The operational life of these German-technology hybrid coaches extends until 2031, which is why they cannot be declared condemned yet.
Which divisions are most affected by these idle coaches?
The Izzatnagar division has 150 idle coaches across four stations, and the Lucknow division has two coaches at Nakaha station blocking a loop line.