Railways Adds 116 Coaches Amid IndiGo Cancellations

Amid the recent disruptions in air travel due to multiple IndiGo flight cancellations, the Indian Railways has taken significant steps to assist stranded passengers. On Friday, the Railways announced the addition of 116 coaches across 37 trains, ensuring that those affected have a reliable alternative for their journeys. This initiative aims to alleviate the travel woes of thousands of passengers during this peak travel season.

In total, the Railways has planned 30 special trains from major metropolitan areas, including Delhi, to facilitate smooth travel. These 37 trains with extra coaches will operate for a total of 114 trips from December 5 to 13, accommodating around 4,000 passengers per trip. This arrangement is expected to provide much-needed relief to approximately 35,000 passengers daily, showcasing the Railways' commitment to addressing passenger needs.

The deployment of additional coaches has been strategically planned across various zones of the Indian Railways, including Northern Railway, Western Railway, Northeast Frontier Railway, East Central Railway, East Coast Railway, Eastern Railway, and Southern Railway. This extensive network ensures that the service reaches different parts of the country, effectively catering to the needs of the stranded travelers.

Initially, the Northern Railway zone added AC 3-tier and Chair Car coaches to high-demand routes such as New Delhi-Jammu Tawi and New Delhi-Dibrugarh. These long-distance trains are often affected during flight cancellations, making them a priority for the Railways. Following this, other zones, including the Southern Railway, also deployed sleeper coaches on routes like Chennai-Trivandrum and Chennai-Mumbai, further enhancing the travel options for passengers.

Additionally, the Eastern and Northeast Frontier Railways contributed by adding a mix of sleeper, AC 2-tier, and AC 3-tier coaches on key intercity routes, ensuring a comfortable journey for passengers. The Western Railway also stepped in by providing additional 2A coaches on trains from Mumbai to New Delhi, which are critical for business travelers.

This proactive approach by the Indian Railways highlights its dedication to passenger welfare, especially during challenging times when air travel is disrupted. With diverse options available, travelers can now feel more secure in their travel plans, knowing that they have reliable rail services to rely on.