Indian Railways Adds Extra Coaches to Major Express Trains
Indian Railways is increasing coach counts on several express trains, including the Katra and Jammu Tawi Express, to manage festive passenger surges.
Indian Railways is taking proactive steps to manage the massive surge in passenger footfall expected during the upcoming festive season. To ensure smoother travel and better berth availability, the authorities are actively augmenting passenger capacity by adding extra coaches to several key express trains across the country.
Major Capacity Boost in Jammu Division
The Northern Railway has announced both permanent and temporary coach additions for several vital trains operating through the Jammu division. These changes are specifically designed to accommodate the heightened demand during the holiday period.
- Badgam-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express (14688/14687): This train is undergoing a permanent capacity expansion. Currently operating with eight coaches, it will be upgraded to a 12-coach configuration, including a Vistadome coach, effective from November 2, 2026, in both directions.
- Bhagat Ki Kothi-Jammu Tawi Express (14803/14804): A temporary second-class coach is being added from Bhagat Ki Kothi (November 1 to November 30, 2026) and from Jammu Tawi (November 2 to December 1, 2026).
- Sabarmati-Katra Express (19415/19416): An extra sleeper coach will be added on November 1 from Sabarmati and on November 3 from Katra.
- Gandhinagar-Jammu Tawi Express (19223/19224): This service will incorporate a third AC coach on November 2 and a sleeper coach on November 3, with return availability starting November 4 and 5, 2026, respectively.
Raghavendra Singh, Public Relations Inspector for Northern Railway’s Jammu division, stated that these measures are intended to accommodate heightened passenger demand and improve berth availability.
New Policy for Permanent Coach Increases
These adjustments follow a broader directive issued by the Railway Board on August 29, 2026. The mandate requires permanent increases in coach counts for mail and express trains across various regional railways, including the North Central Railway (NCR).
Under this new policy, trains that currently operate with 20 coaches will see an increase to 24 coaches, while those with 22 coaches will also be upgraded to 24 units. These upgrades will primarily focus on LHB rake trains to enhance capacity and efficiency.
Reducing Congestion and Waiting Lists
The phased rollout of these extra coaches aims to significantly reduce congestion and shorten waiting lists for passengers. Shivam Sharma, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Central Railway, noted that the initiative is a key part of the strategy to handle increased passenger volumes effectively.
Further enhancements are also underway for long-distance services. For instance, the South Bihar Express is set to receive additional 2 AC, 3 AC, and sleeper coaches to cater to the heavy demand on this route.