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In contrast, Shalimar Express, to be introduced soon, gets a better deal. Even as the prestigious Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Duronto AC Express is running with over a decade old over used Rajdhani rakes, the Rail Coach Factory (RCF), Kapurthala, has released LHB coaches for use on the Secunderabad – Shalimar (Kolkata) ordinary AC express train, which is likely to be introduced soon. There is another weekly ordinary express train running on the same route.The RCF has allotted 20 LHB coaches in its order issued on Monday. While the train would have 14 or 15 coaches, the remaining would be maintained as ‘spare coaches’ by SCR.It may be recalled that the Railway Board had announced in the past and is also allocating rakes directly from the coach factory to various zones with first preference in the allotment of LHB coaches given to Rajdhani Express trains followed by Duronto trains.The South Central Railway (SCR) should use the LHB rakes for the Duronto and the old Rajadhani rake to the Shalimar Express, feel those who have been watching the developments.It may be recalled that the prestigious Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Duronto Express, operated by South Central Railway, has been allotted old rake of the Bengaluru – Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express.

Complaints galoreThe non-stop AC Duronto, which runs at high speed, requires better coaches which can withstand the heat generated. It isn’t surprising that there are complaints of AC failure on the Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Duronto apart from wobbling at higher speeds.The Shalimar Express has several stops and there is no reason why it should be given preferential treatment in the allotment of LHB rakes while ignoring the Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Duronto Express.The allocation of the LHB rake to a weekly train would mean that the coaches would remain ‘idle’ for three days in a week at the Secunderabad coaching complex. The rake would be sufficient to run the tri-weekly Secunderabad – Visakhapatnam Duronto.The AC 3-tier and AC 2-tier berths on Visakhapatnam – Secunderabad Duronto and on the return trip are booked on all days of its operation and for the ensuing Dasara vacation there is a huge ‘waiting list’ before and after the festival.It’s high time our MPs exerted pressure on the SCR and the Railway Board officials and saw that the LHB coaches allotted to Shaliamar ordinary AC Express were swapped with the Duronto.