Indian Railways operating 380 special summer trains to ensure comfortable travel for passengers

New Delhi: In order to facilitate the travel of railway passengers during the summer season, Indian Railways has introduced 380 special trains, totalling 6,369 trips, said the Ministry in a statement on Friday. Further, the statement said that this initiative aims to address the additional demand for train services, providing greater convenience to commuters. The number of trips this year has increased by 1,770, compared to the 4,599 trips operated by 348 trains in the previous summer, it added.

Current year's special trains are making an average of 16.8 trips per train

The statement noted that the current year's special trains are making an average of 16.8 trips per train, whereas last summer's trains averaged 13.2 trips per train. The major destinations served by these special trains include Patna-Secunderabad, Patna-Yesvantpur, Barauni-Muzaffarpur, Delhi-Patna, New Delhi-Katra, Chandigarh-Gorakhpur, Anand Vihar-Patna, Visakhapatnam-Puri-Howrah, Mumbai-Patna, and Mumbai-Gorakhpur, it added.

380 special trains have total 25,794 General Coaches & 55,243 Sleeper Coaches

To accommodate the increased passenger rush, these 380 special trains have a total of 25,794 General Coaches and 55,243 Sleeper Coaches. General Coaches have a capacity of 100 passengers, while Sleeper Coaches can accommodate 72 passengers in ICF (Integral Coach Factory) and 78 passengers in LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) coaches, said the statement.

Initiatives taken by different railway zones to run special trains

Railway zones across the country, including South-Western Railway, Western Railway, South-Central Railway, North-Western Railway, East-Central Railway, and Northern Railway, have prepared to operate these special trains. South-Western Railway, primarily serving Karnataka, has scheduled the highest number of trips this summer, with 1,790 compared to 779 trips last year, said the statement. Similarly, Western Railway, serving the state of Gujarat, has significantly increased its trips from 438 to 1,470. Moreover, South Central Railway has added 80 more trips, totalling 784 trips this year, to meet the rising demand. Northern Railway has also planned 324 trips to cater to the heavy rush in the northern part of the country, it added.

Number of trains and trips may vary throughout the season

Further, it noted that the number of trains and trips may vary throughout the season as the planning and operation of special trains are continuously assessed. Inputs from various sources, such as media reports, social media platforms, the Railway Integrated helpline number 139, and waitlist passenger data in the Passenger Reservation System (PRS), are considered to determine the demand for specific routes. Accordingly, the number of trains and trips is adjusted to meet the requirements.

RPF is monitoring malpractices

To ensure fair practices and prevent malpractices such as seat cornering, overcharging, and touting, a dedicated team comprising commercial and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff is actively monitoring the situation, said the Ministry.

Special summer trains will enhance connectivity

The Ministry also highlighted that the introduction of these special summer trains will enhance connectivity between states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi, benefitting railway travelers across the country. For further information and inquiries, passengers are encouraged to utilize the various communication channels, including media platforms, social media, and the Railway Integrated helpline number 139, it added.

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