Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urging him for conversion of the Puri-Hatia-Puri Tapaswini Express to Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) design coaches.

“On my recent visit of Odisha, I had the pleasure of travelling from Bhubaneswar to Redhakhol on the Puri-Hatia-Puri Tapaswini Express and interacting with many of my co-passengers who mentioned their long-pending demand for LHB rakes on the train,” wrote Pradhan.

 “I understand that this important train, which passes through the heart of Odisha and Jharkhand connecting Puri, Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Talcher, Angul, Rairakhol, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Rajgangpur, Rourkela, Nuagaon and Hatia, has been running since 1996 and is much used by commuters. It is also a matter of pride for the people of Odisha that Tapaswini Express is named after the famous Odia book Tapaswini written by legendary 19th century Odia poet Swabhab Kabi Gangadhar Meher,” he said.

 “We had recently flagged off the Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur Bhubaneswar Hirakhand express with new modern LHB rakes.

I learnt that LHB rakes have more safety features with modular interior and fittings, more seating capacity with lesser noise and other features like high-capacity cooling, improved suspension system for hassle free journey,” Pradhan said.

“Introduction of LHB Coaches in Tapaswini Express shall go a long way in providing smooth travel and safer journey experience to railway passengers ensuring highest levels of comfort and on-board passenger amenities,” he said.

“Keeping in mind the welfare and comfort of the train commuters, I seek your personal intervention for conversion of the Puri-Hatia-Puri Tapaswini Express to LHB rakes as early as possible,” urged Pradhan.