Indian Railways operates record 9,111 additional trains to clear summer rush

NEW DELHI: To ensure the convenience of passengers and manage the anticipated surge in travel demand during the summer, Indian Railways is operating a record-breaking 9,111 trips during this season.
According to a Railways statement, this marks a significant increase in services compared to the summer of 2023, when 6,369 trips were offered. This translates to an increase of 2,742 trips, demonstrating Indian Railways’ commitment to meeting passenger demands effectively.
The additional trains have been meticulously planned to connect key destinations across the country, ensuring seamless travel on major railway routes. 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, Rajastan, and Delhi.
The planning and running of additional trains is a continuous process for which inputs are taken from all the communication channels around the clock, like media reports, social media platforms, and the Railway Integrated Helpline Number (139), apart from details of waitlist passengers in the PRS system, to assess the demand for trains on a particular route. Based on this requirement, the number of trains and the number of trips are increased. Neither the number of trains nor the number of trips run by additional train(s) is static for the entire season.
During the summer season, Zonal Railways have been instructed to ensure the availability of drinking water at railway stations. Elaborate crowd control arrangements are made at all major and important railway stations. Senior officers are stationed at these stations to monitor all the activities and regulate the crowd in a systematic manner.
RPF personnel have been deputed to originating stations to ensure a queue system for entry into general-class coaches. Skilled RPF staff are deployed in the CCTV Control Room to keep a close watch on the crowded areas and render real-time assistance to passengers.
Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are deployed at foot-over bridges to regulate crowds smoothly in order to avoid a stampede-like situation during the heavy rush period.
Indian Railways remains committed to providing a convenient and comfortable travel experience for all passengers. Passengers can book their tickets on these additional trains through the railway ticket counters or the IRCTC website or app.