Northern Railway has significantly ramped up its operational capacity between April and July 26, 2026, to manage the fluctuating passenger demand across its network, particularly in the Delhi NCR region. By introducing new routes and increasing the frequency of special services, the zone aims to streamline travel for millions of commuters. Key highlights of this expansion include:
- 18 new trains introduced across the network.
- 6,613 summer special and extra trips operated to manage passenger rush.
- Introduction of India’s first hydrogen-fuel-based DEMU train on the Jind-Sonipat route.
- Extension of six Vande Bharat and other key services.
- 38 coaches permanently added and 53 coaches temporarily attached to various trains.
Expansion of Services and Infrastructure
Northern Railway has been proactive in meeting the needs of passengers traveling for major recruitment examinations like NEET, UP Police, RRB, and UPTET. Notable new train services launched during this period include the Anand Vihar-Purulia Express, Amrit Bharat Express, Mumbai Central-Kathgodam Superfast, Varanasi-Lucknow Express, and the Delhi-Ringas Passenger.
To enhance passenger comfort, the zone converted six ICF rakes to modern LHB coaches, which are known for better safety features and improved ride quality. Additionally, 41 Bharat Gaurav train journeys were successfully conducted. For the Kanwar Mela, the railway operated 120 special trips and provided 41 additional stoppages for 16 trains, alongside extending two DEMU services to Haridwar to accommodate the influx of pilgrims.
Operational Performance and Challenges
During the first quarter of the 2026-27 financial year, Northern Railway exceeded its revenue and operational targets, successfully running over 1,800 special trains under the ‘Trains on Demand’ scheme. Despite maintaining a punctuality rate of 68.42%, the zone faced operational hurdles, such as a goods train derailment on the Ghaziabad-New Delhi section in July, which resulted in the cancellation of 16 trains and the diversion of 24.
To ensure passenger safety, the railway has intensified security across Delhi-NCR stations by increasing CCTV surveillance and deploying specialized CORAS personnel. Furthermore, the zone demonstrated its commitment to national duty by operating 79 special trips for the Indian Army, ensuring seamless logistics for defense personnel across the region.