74,800 Special Train Trips Operated During Festivals and Vacations Between April 2025 and February 2026
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 5:58PM by PIB Delhi
On Indian Railways, occupancy pattern of trains varies over lean and peak periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes remains full whereas during lean period and on less popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization.
Waiting list pattern is monitored on regular basis and to cater to additional demand, Indian Railways have taken various steps like introduction of new trains, increase in frequency/extension of existing trains, augmentation of load of existing trains on permanent basis, etc. Further, waiting list limits have been rationalized linking it to the extent of accommodation of that class available in the train.
During the last five years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 (up to Feb’2026), 1024 trains were introduced, 907 were extended, frequency of 168 trains was increased and 4651 coaches were augmented. As the Railway network straddles across state boundaries, trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries. However, on originating/terminating basis, Indian Railways during 2021-22 to 2025-26 (Feb’2026) have introduced 444 train services catering to the needs of various stations located in the Eastern/North Eastern region including following 75 pair trains serving the stations falling in the state of Bihar.
With a view to meet the demand of passengers travelling in unreserved coaches, Railways have significantly increased the facilities for passengers demanding general class travel. During the last financial year 2024-25 alone, 1250 general coaches have been utilised in various long-distance trains. In the current financial year (upto February, 2026), 860 Coaches have been utilised for permanent augmentation.
To cater to the travel demand of the low and middle income families, Indian Railways have taken up manufacturing of 17,000 non-AC coaches (general/sleeper).
On IR, the percentage of non-AC coaches, is about 70% as indicated below:
Table 1: Distribution of coaches:
Non-AC coaches (general and sleeper)
~62,000
~70%
AC coaches
~27,000
~30%
Total coaches
~89,000
100%
Due to higher availability of general coaches, the number of passengers traveling in general/ unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend as shown below:
Table 2: Passengers in general/unreserved coaches:
Year
No. of Passengers
2020-21
99 Cr (Covid year)
2021-22
275 Cr (Covid year)
2022-23
553 Cr
2023-24
609 Cr
2024-25
651 Cr
The number of seats available for non-AC passengers has also increased. The current composition is as follows:
Table 3: Distribution of seats:
Non-AC seats~ 54 lakhs
~ 78%
AC seats
~ 15 lakhs
~ 22%
Total
~ 69 lakhs
100%
Moreover, to provide greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, the extant policy regarding composition of Mail/Express trains provides for 12 (Twelve) General class & Sleeper class non- AC coaches and 08 (eight) AC-Coaches, in a train of 22 coaches, thereby providing greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches.
Further, to cater to the needs of passengers desirous of availing unreserved accommodation, Indian Railways (IR) operate unreserved non-AC passenger trains/ MEMU / EMU etc. for affordable travel, which are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in Mail/Express services.
SPECIAL TRAINS
IR also operates Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc. to cater to the extra needs of passengers and supplement the accommo…
About the Author
