The Railway Ministry seeks to upgrade the condition of the aging Garib Rath coaches that have been in operation since they were launch in 2006. From August 2024, passengers traveling on Garib Rath trains will experience alterations in ticket booking procedures, as the Railways plans to discontinue reservations for AC Chair Car and Second AC coaches. Passengers will have the sole option to book Third AC coaches on Garib Rath trains.

Improvement initiative includes:-

• According to a Railway Ministry spokesperson, the phased improvement initiative includes discontinuing reservations in AC Chair Car and Second AC coaches. 
• The overhaul will include replacing aging coaches with LHB coaches and introducing newly designed AC coaches tailored for economy class. 
• There are presently 26 Garib Rath trains running weekly or more frequently across 52 distinct routes. These trains were initially launched under the leadership of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, offering fares significantly lower than those of standard AC Third and chair car coaches.
• The upgraded economy AC coaches will have improved passenger facilities, such as expanding berths from 72 to 81 per coach, using fire-resistant materials in berths, adding foldable snack tables, modernizing toilets, installing reading lights, and incorporating USB charging points.
• Currently, the new economy AC coaches are being manufactured at Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, and Modern Coach Factory in Raebareli.

Source - Click Here