Indian Railways has announced a massive increase in summer special train services to manage the heavy rush during the 2024 holiday season. A total of 9,111 trips have been planned this year, which is a significant 43 percent jump compared to the 6,369 trips operated in 2023. These additional 2,742 trips will provide major relief to passengers struggling to find confirmed seats on high-demand routes.
Zone-wise distribution of summer special trains
Different railway zones across the country are contributing to this massive operation to ensure smooth travel. Western Railway and North Western Railway are leading with the highest number of special services planned for the summer months.
| Railway Zone | Number of Trips Planned |
|---|---|
| Western Railway | 1,878 |
| North Western Railway | 1,623 |
| South Central Railway | 1,012 |
| East Central Railway | 1,003 |
| Central Railway | 156 Trains (including 168 extra services) |
Passenger facilities and major route updates
Apart from increasing the number of trains, the Railway Ministry has issued instructions to improve passenger experience at stations. Special focus is being given to crowd management and basic amenities during the peak summer heat.
- Central Railway is running 168 extra services from Mumbai and Pune to cities like Varanasi, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
- East Central Railway CPRO Virendra Kumar confirmed 16 additional trains to help passengers in the Bihar region.
- Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are deployed at stations to manage queue systems for general coach entry.
- CCTV control rooms are being monitored by skilled staff to manage crowd flow in real-time.
- All major stations have been directed to ensure the availability of clean drinking water for travelers.
- Passengers can use the NTES app or the official website to check the exact timings and halts for these special trains.