NEW DELHI: With the festive season around the corner, Indian Railways is ramping up its services to improve passengers’ chances of securing seats amid the rush. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced a series of measures, including adding extra coaches and running special trains to accommodate the surge in travelers during popular festivals like Diwali, Durga Puja, and Chhath Puja.

To address the increased demand, Indian Railways has added General Coaches to 108 trains across the country. Additionally, the Railways has approved 12,500 extra coaches specifically for Chhath Puja and Diwali special trains, ensuring a more comfortable journey for travelers heading home for the holidays. This initiative is expected to benefit over 1 crore passengers.

The government has already announced a total of 5,975 trains for the year 2024-25, providing ample options for passengers looking to travel during the festive season. These efforts are part of Indian Railways' broader strategy to manage the high volume of travelers during peak periods.

Previously, during the Ganesh festival, Indian Railways operated 342 special trains to facilitate travel from Mumbai to the Konkan region, catering to the large number of people visiting their hometowns during the ten-day celebration. Similarly, in July, the Railways ran over 300 special trains to and from Puri, Odisha, to accommodate pilgrims attending the Jagannath Rath Yatra.

These steps reflect Indian Railways' commitment to enhancing passenger convenience during major festivals, ensuring that more people can reunite with their families without the stress of unavailable seats.

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