TBM Staff - Mumbai
In order to accommodate a higher volume of passengers and facilitate travel to various destinations, the Railway Ministry has announced a significant increase in train services for the upcoming summer season. Compared to last year, there will be a substantial surge of 43% in the number of train trips operated by the ministry.
“To ensure the convenience of passengers and manage the anticipated surge in travel demand during summers, the Indian Railways is operating a record-breaking 9,111 trips during the summer season,” stated a press release from the Railway Ministry. “This marks a substantial rise compared to the summer of 2023, where a total of 6,369 trips were offered. This translates to an increase of 2,742 trips, demonstrating the Indian Railways’ commitment to meeting passenger demands effectively.”
According to the ministry, the additional trains have been meticulously planned to connect key destinations across the country, ensuring seamless travel on major railway routes. Out of these 9,111 train trips, the Western Railway will operate the highest number – 1,878 – followed by the North Western Railway with 1,623 trips. Other Railway zones that will run a significant number of trips include the South Central Railway (1,012 trips) and the East Central Railway (1,003).
“All zonal railways spread across India have geared up to operate these additional trips catering to the summer travel rush from states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi,” added the Railway Ministry.
Before deciding to increase train trips, the ministry collects inputs from all communication channels 24×7, including media reports, social media platforms, and the Railway Integrated helpline number 139, in addition to details of waitlisted passengers in the PRS system, to assess the demand for trains on specific routes. “Based on this requirement, the number of trains and the number of trips are augmented. Neither the number of trains nor the number of trips run by additional trains are static for the entire season,” emphasised the ministry.
The ministry has also directed Zonal Railways to ensure the availability of drinking water at railway stations during the summer season. “Elaborate crowd control arrangements are made at all major and important railway stations. Senior officers are stationed at these stations to monitor all activities and regulate the crowd in a systematic manner,” further stated the ministry.
Regulation of crowds at foot-over bridges
Additionally, the ministry has issued instructions to deploy Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) at foot-over bridges to regulate crowds smoothly, thereby avoiding stampede-like situations during periods of heavy rush.
