Gwalior Trains: New Coach Setup to Tackle Festive Rush
Indian Railways is adding sleeper coaches to four Gwalior trains to manage the heavy Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger surge.
To manage the massive surge in passenger numbers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, Indian Railways has announced significant changes to the coach compositions of four trains operating through Gwalior. The move is designed to provide more affordable travel options as thousands of passengers prepare to head home.
Sleeper Coaches to Replace AC Economy
In a direct response to travel demands, railway authorities have decided to reduce the number of third AC economy coaches in these four specific services. These will be replaced by additional sleeper class coaches, ensuring that more budget-conscious travelers can secure seats during the peak season. This adjustment is part of a larger national strategy to accommodate the heavy festive influx.
Massive Festive Capacity Boost
The scale of the railway's festive operations for 2026 is unprecedented. Between October 1 and November 30, the Ministry of Railways has planned approximately 3.4 lakh regular train trips. To further assist the public, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved the deployment of 12,500 special trains for the festive period, with 5,975 trips already officially notified as of mid-October.
To ensure the system can handle more than 1 crore passengers, the following measures are being implemented:
- The permanent addition of 412 coaches to existing train services.
- The deployment of new general class coaches to increase capacity.
- The notification of 8,454 special train trips to provide extra relief to commuters.
Travel Advisory and Infrastructure Updates
Travel demand at Gwalior railway station has already reached critical levels, with many routes seeing tickets sold out well in advance. While the new coach compositions aim to help, passengers should be mindful of ongoing technical works in the region.
Ongoing yard remodeling in the Mathura section and essential maintenance within the Bhopal division may cause periodic service disruptions or cancellations across the network.