5,975 special trains to facilitate passengers during Diwali, Chhath puja: Vaishnaw

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian Railways will run 5,975 special trains to accommodate the surge in passenger demand during the upcoming festive season, especially for Chhath Puja and Diwali.

In response to public demand, 12,500 special trains have been sanctioned, out of which 5,975 trains have been approved for the 2024-25 period.

Notably, general coaches will be added to 108 regular trains, providing more options for passengers travelling during the holiday rush.

The Railway Minister said that the addition of general coaches and the introduction of special trains aim to alleviate the strain on the Indian Railways during this high-demand period.

“More than 1 crore passengers are expected to benefit from these arrangements”, he said.

He also mentioned that in the 2023-24 festive season, a total of 4,429 special trains were operated, a number that has been significantly expanded for this year to ensure smoother travel experiences.

The decision to increase the number of special trains and add general coaches is seen as a direct response to the high demand for train tickets during the festive season.

These new arrangements are designed to provide more availability and ease the pressure on the railway system.

Earlier on September 26 the Railway Minister highlighted the growing success of the indigenous Vande Bharat trains.

Multiple versions of the Vande Bharat, including sleeper variants and the Namo Bharat trains, have been developed domestically, reducing dependence on imports.

(This story was taken from a syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital staff)