+
Railways To Add 2,000 Trains, End Waiting Lists
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Railways To Add 2,000 Trains, End Waiting Lists

Indian Railways will introduce about 2,000 extra trains a day over the next four years, lifting the daily total to nearly 13,000 services and aiming to provide every traveller with a confirmed berth. According to a senior Railway Ministry official, the enlarged timetable should raise annual passenger capacity from roughly 8 billion to 10 billion and wipe out the 50 million-strong waiting-list that recurs each year.
The plan calls for 450 Vande Bharat sets, 200 push-pull formations and a mix of new Mail and Express services. Capacity freed by the Dedicated Freight Corridor, plus continuous track-doubling and electrification, will allow the extra trains to run without clogging the network. Work is also under way on 1,000 rail overbridges and underpasses this financial year to cut level-crossing delays.
To reinforce booking transparency, Railways has capped wait-listed tickets at 25 per cent of a coach’s confirmed seats across all classes—Sleeper, AC First, AC Second, AC Third, Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. In past peak seasons a Sleeper coach could carry more than 300 hopefuls and AC carriages up to 150; the new ceiling keeps the list manageable and gives passengers a clearer idea of their odds of travel.
Rail-administrators say the twin approach of expanding rolling stock and tightening booking rules will remove uncertainty for passengers while boosting revenue and operational reliability. With construction works and tendering already in hand, the first tranche of new trains is expected to enter service early in the current plan period, marking a pivotal step towards a wait-list-free railway.

Indian Railways will introduce about 2,000 extra trains a day over the next four years, lifting the daily total to nearly 13,000 services and aiming to provide every traveller with a confirmed berth. According to a senior Railway Ministry official, the enlarged timetable should raise annual passenger capacity from roughly 8 billion to 10 billion and wipe out the 50 million-strong waiting-list that recurs each year.The plan calls for 450 Vande Bharat sets, 200 push-pull formations and a mix of new Mail and Express services. Capacity freed by the Dedicated Freight Corridor, plus continuous track-doubling and electrification, will allow the extra trains to run without clogging the network. Work is also under way on 1,000 rail overbridges and underpasses this financial year to cut level-crossing delays.To reinforce booking transparency, Railways has capped wait-listed tickets at 25 per cent of a coach’s confirmed seats across all classes—Sleeper, AC First, AC Second, AC Third, Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. In past peak seasons a Sleeper coach could carry more than 300 hopefuls and AC carriages up to 150; the new ceiling keeps the list manageable and gives passengers a clearer idea of their odds of travel.Rail-administrators say the twin approach of expanding rolling stock and tightening booking rules will remove uncertainty for passengers while boosting revenue and operational reliability. With construction works and tendering already in hand, the first tranche of new trains is expected to enter service early in the current plan period, marking a pivotal step towards a wait-list-free railway.

Next Story
Resources

CASE Launches ‘Shilpi’ to Train Youth in Equipment Servicing

CASE Construction Equipment, a CNH brand, has launched Project Shilpi, a CSR initiative to train youth in backhoe loader maintenance and servicing. The programme targets ITI and diploma holders from economically weaker sections, aiming to address the skill gap in the construction equipment servicing sector.  “At CASE, we believe in enabling communities through skills that transform lives... Through this initiative, we aim to strengthen India’s technical workforce while empowering individuals to achieve socio-economic independence,” said Kavita Sah, India CSR Head, CNH. &nb..

Next Story
Resources

Himadri Named CDP Supplier Engagement Leader with ‘A’ Rating

Himadri Speciality Chemical has been recognised as a 2024 CDP Supplier Engagement Leader, earning an ‘A’ rating for its performance in supply chain climate action. This places Himadri among the top-rated global companies in the CDP’s Supplier Engagement Assessment. The company scored high in key categories including supplier engagement, Scope 3 emissions verification, risk management, and governance, demonstrating strong alignment with global climate disclosure frameworks. “Being recognised as a CDP Supplier Engagement Leader is a proud moment for all of us... Our commitment ..

Next Story
Resources

Trimble, IIT Madras Join Hands to Donate 20 Custom Wheelchairs

Trimble has partnered with the National Centre for Assistive Health Technologies (NCAHT) at IIT Madras to support inclusive mobility through the donation of 20 custom-fitted wheelchairs. Backed by an initial ₹15 lakh contribution, the lightweight (9 kg) wheelchairs are tailored to individual needs and rival high-end imports in quality. Recipients will be selected through a structured process including assessments, prescription, and training to ensure long-term usability. “At Trimble, we believe accessibility is fundamental... Through this partnership with IIT Madras, we hope to s..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?