Mandore Express Gets Extra Coaches & Special Festive Trains
Indian Railways has launched a massive operation to tackle the heavy passenger surge expected during the upcoming festive season. To ensure travelers can reach their destinations with minimal waiting times, several railway zones have announced the introduction of special trains, additional coaches, and advanced technology-driven crowd management systems.
NWR Boosts Mandore Express Capacity
The North Western Railway (NWR) is taking proactive steps to clear long waiting lists. A significant update has been announced for the Jodhpur-Delhi-Jodhpur Mandore Express (Train numbers 22491/22492). To accommodate more passengers, two extra air-conditioned coaches—one Second AC and one Third AC Economy—will be attached to the service.
According to Captain Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of NWR, these extra coaches will be available during the following periods:
- From Jodhpur: Between October 10 and October 16.
- From Delhi: Between October 11 and October 17.
In addition to the Mandore Express, NWR is also operating a special reserved train service between Sabarmati and Delhi to cater to holiday travelers.
Massive Special Train Network for Bihar
To facilitate the movement of passengers traveling home for the holidays, 12 pairs of special trains have been scheduled to and from Bihar. These services will provide vital connectivity between Bihar and several major cities, including:
- Mumbai and Pune
- Ahmedabad and Valsad
- Ajmer and Jodhpur
- Kota and Sri Ganganagar
Northern and North Central Railway Updates
The Northern Railway is also heavily involved in the festive preparations. CPRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay confirmed that 10 special trains are currently running through Lucknow, connecting key destinations such as Delhi, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chandigarh, and Patna through the month of November.
Furthermore, the Northern Railway has proposed the following:
- Four new unreserved special trains to manage short-distance travelers.
- Extension of three existing services from Shakurbasti to destinations including Patna, Mansi, Kanpur, and Jhangirpur.
To ensure smooth operational flow during peak periods, Northern Railway implemented the cancellation of over 70 mail and express trains on October 10 and 11.
Meanwhile, the North Central Railway has planned a long-term festive schedule. Special trains will operate from Prayagraj, Narayanpur Bazar, and Subedarganj to various Delhi-NCR stations, with services scheduled to continue through December 2026.
AI-Powered Crowd Management and Safety
With the expected influx of millions of passengers, Indian Railways is turning to technology to maintain order. A new 'Rolling Crowd Management Plan' is being implemented, which utilizes AI technology to monitor station security and flow. The system scans live video feeds from station cameras and triggers immediate alerts to authorities if congestion levels reach a critical point.
During major festivals like Durga Puja and Chhath, dedicated holding areas have been established at major stations, such as Tatanagar, to manage passenger movement and prevent unauthorized access to platforms.
Infrastructure Update: Jodhpur Station Renovation
Amidst the festive rush, work on the modernization of Jodhpur railway station is also progressing. General Manager (GM) Pankaj Sharma confirmed that the renovation project is continuing following the removal of a previous contracting firm. The project aims to transform the station into a more modern, user-friendly facility for all travelers.