Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, visited the War Room at the Railway Board to assess passenger movement during the bustling festive period. He commended the railway staff for their round-the-clock dedication and extended Diwali wishes.
In preparation for the increased travel demand during festivals like Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, Indian Railways has significantly enhanced its services. The railways are operating a total of 12,011 special trains, a substantial increase from the 7,724 trains operated during the same period last year. This expanded service aims to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey for passengers during the festive rush.
Between October 1st and October 19th, Indian Railways successfully managed the travel needs of over one crore passengers by operating 3,960 special trains, in addition to its regular services. Looking ahead, the railways plan to introduce approximately 8,000 more special trains to accommodate the anticipated surge in passenger traffic for Diwali and Chhath.
The deployment of these special trains is widespread across all railway zones, with Northern Railway leading with 1919 trains, followed by Central Railway with 1998 trains, and Western Railway with 1501 trains. East Central Railway and North Western Railway are also contributing significantly with 1217 trains each to meet regional travel demands.
Passenger movement has been efficiently managed with improved station facilities, including dedicated waiting areas, more ticket counters, accessible drinking water, and clean restrooms, all contributing to a better travel experience. Notably, in the New Delhi area, passenger traffic saw an increase of 1.51 lakh passengers between October 16th and 19th compared to the previous year.
Minister Vaishnaw also personally visited the New Delhi and Anand Vihar Railway stations to interact with passengers and gather feedback on the arrangements. Indian Railways remains committed to providing safe, comfortable, and seamless travel for all, supported by the tireless efforts of over 12 lakh railway employees.