Indian Railways will conduct a massive nationwide Coach Census on May 12, 2026. This operation will take place between 10 AM and 6 PM to update the records of every single coach across the country. The Railway Board has planned this mega-exercise after a gap of 10 years to fix data gaps and improve safety.
What is the plan for the Coach Census and Mock Drill
To ensure the process runs smoothly, a nationwide mock drill will be held on May 10, 2026. This will help officials identify and solve technical issues before the actual event. On the main day, special teams will visit major stations and railway yards. Trains will be stopped for 2 to 5 minutes for counting, and coaches will be marked with a special dye to avoid double counting.
What data will be collected during this operation
The census will build a digital database based on 32 different parameters for every coach. This includes the manufacturing date, current location, and repair history. The process covers all types of trains including Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, Rajdhani, and various freight wagons using ICF and LHB technology.
| Key Point | Details |
|---|---|
| Census Date | May 12, 2026 |
| Mock Drill Date | May 10, 2026 |
| Time Window | 10 AM to 6 PM |
| Data Points | 32 Parameters |
| Coverage | All Zones and Yards |
| Last Census | 2016 |
Why is this census important for passengers
Shashikant Tripathi, CPRO of North Central Railway, stated that this will help find missing coaches and create an accurate inventory of assets. Better data means better maintenance planning and fewer accidents. It will also help the government plan the purchase of new coaches more accurately, leading to better resource use and improved safety for passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will the Coach Census affect train timings?
Trains may be stopped for a short period of 2 to 5 minutes at stations for the counting process on May 12.
Which trains are included in this census?
All trains including Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, Rajdhani, Shatabdi, Mail-Express, and all types of freight wagons are included.
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