18,000 Special Trains for Festive Season: Ashwini Vaishnaw
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces 18,000 special trains for the festive season and the redevelopment of 1,300 railway stations.
In a massive move to accommodate the surging passenger numbers during the upcoming festive period, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has announced that approximately 18,000 special trains are being operated across the country. This represents a significant increase from the approximately 12,000 special trains that were operated during the same period last year.
The festive season, which encompasses major celebrations such as Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, traditionally brings a heavy rush to the Indian Railways network. To manage this demand, the Ministry has expanded both train services and passenger facilities at major hubs.
Enhanced Facilities at Congested Stations
To tackle the heavy crowds at highly congested stations, large holding areas have been established at key locations, including New Delhi, Udhna in Surat, and the Anand Vihar Terminal. These specialized areas are designed to improve passenger comfort and streamline movement:
- High Capacity: The holding areas at New Delhi and Udhna are capable of accommodating around 20,000 people at any given time.
- Improved Amenities: These zones are equipped with numerous high-quality toilets and excellent air circulation systems.
- Easy Ticketing: To prevent passengers from having to navigate through heavy crowds, ticketing counters have been relocated directly into these holding areas.
"We strive for continuous improvement every year, aiming to provide better service than the previous year, though the demand remains extremely high," said Minister Vaishnaw.
Redeveloping 1,300 Stations for the Next 50 Years
Beyond the immediate festive arrangements, the Minister highlighted the ongoing redevelopment of 1,300 railway stations across the nation. With about 400 stations already completed, the projects are being planned with a long-term vision to meet passenger requirements for the next five decades.
Focus on Local Architecture and Capacity
A key feature of this redevelopment is the emphasis on increasing station capacity while maintaining cultural identity. The designs incorporate local architectural styles to reflect the heritage of their respective regions:
- Stations in Jaipur are being designed to reflect the city's unique architecture.
- Stations in regions like Jodhpur, Ahmedabad, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are following their specific local architectural traditions.
Seamless Development Without Disrupting Traffic
Unlike many other countries where station redevelopment requires halting rail traffic for several years, the Indian Railways is undertaking these massive upgrades without disrupting train operations. Given that the railway is a vital mode of transport for the country, the Minister emphasized that the work is being carried out with a strict focus on safety to ensure that the network remains fully functional during the transformation.