Question : Introduction of Special Trains

(a) whether the Railways introduce special trains to cater to the extra rush of passengers during the major festival seasons in the country;

(b) if so, the details of trains introduced for the purpose during the current year, till date, festival-wise;

(c) whether the Railways is working on a plan to improve e-occupancy level by adding new coaches and computer enabled efficient use of available berths;

(d) if so, the details thereof and the likely time line by which the said plan will become operational; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Railways to introduce sufficient number of trains in proportion to the extra rush of passengers during winter vacation including Christmas season?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) & (b) Yes, Madam. Indian Railways endeavours to operate special trains during peak seasons, festivals, special events for clearance of extra rush of passengers traffic keeping in view the pattern of traffic, commercial justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources. Running of special trains on various sectors is a continuous process. Separate data for special trains run for a specific festival is not maintained.

(c) & (d) Whenever additional coaches are attached in the train, it updates the waiting list position automatically through computerized Passenger Reservation System(PRS). Moreover, with a view to ensuring optimal utilization of available accommodation, an Alternate Train Accommodation (ATAS) know as “VIKALP” has been introduced. In this scheme waiting list passengers have to give an option at the time of booking of ticket and such passengers with waiting list status at the time of preparation of first reservation charts, are shifted to other trains, subject to availability of vacant accommodation.

(e) To cater to the extra rush during winter vacation including Christmas season, Indian Railways, based on past experience and to the extent feasible and justified, plans to operate special trains and also augments the load of the existing trains.

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