Date: 2026-03-11Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Common Man's Train: Amrit Bharat Express, Offering Faster, Safer & Jerk free Long Distance Travel, Records Over 100% Sleeper Class Occupancy Since Inception
**Executive Summary**
This document details Indian Railways' efforts to provide affordable, faster, and safer long-distance travel through the introduction of the Amrit Bharat Express and the permanent addition of 860 General Coaches. It highlights enhanced features, occupancy rates, special train operations for festivals between April 2025 and January 2026, and ongoing improvements in coach maintenance and sanitation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amrit Bharat Express:**
* Designed for affordable, faster, safer, and jerk-free long-distance travel, catering to low and middle-income families.
* Fully non-AC modern trains, with current occupancy in Sleeper Class exceeding 100% from 2023-24 to Jan 2026.
* Composition includes 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 1 Pantry car, and 2 Luggage cum Divyangjan coaches.
* Features enhanced aesthetics, jerk-free semi-automatic couplers, improved crashworthiness, CCTV systems, modern toilets, easier berth access, LED lighting, charging sockets, EP assisted braking, aerosol-based fire suppression, emergency talk-back systems, and non-AC pantries with heating.
* As of March 5, 2026, 54 Amrit Bharat Express services are operational across the Indian Railways network.
* **General Coaches and Capacity Augmentation:**
* Indian Railways has permanently added 860 General Coaches in the current fiscal year (up to February 2026) to meet demand.
* 1250 general coaches were utilized in long-distance trains in the last financial year 2024-25.
* 17,000 non-AC coaches (general/sleeper) are being manufactured to cater to demand.
* Non-AC coaches constitute approximately 70% of the total coaches on Indian Railways.
* The number of passengers in general/unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend, with 651 Cr passengers in 2024-25.
* Non-AC seats comprise approximately 78% of total available seats.
* The policy for Mail/Express trains includes 12 General/Sleeper class non-AC coaches and 8 AC-Coaches in a 22-coach train to enhance accommodation.
* **Special Train Services:**
* Special train services are operated to meet extra passenger needs during festivals, holidays, and vacations.
* Approximately 70,300 special train trips are planned between April 2025 and January 2026.
* Past operations included ~40,500 trips in 2023-24 and ~85,400 trips in 2024-25.
* **Maintenance and Sanitation:**
* Regular actions are taken to ensure and improve maintenance standards and cleanliness of coaches.
* Mechanized coach cleaning, including interiors and toilets, is ensured during maintenance.
* On-board housekeeping staff services and Clean Train Station services are provided.
* Regular monitoring through inspections and training of staff is conducted.
* Continuous efforts are made for cleanliness, with frequent toilet cleaning and a redressal mechanism for issues.
* All trains are fitted with bio-toilets to aid in maintaining cleanliness.
**Impact Analysis**
**Passengers**
* **Impact:** Access to faster, safer, and jerk-free long-distance travel at affordable prices, particularly for low and middle-income families. Increased availability of general coaches and seats enhances travel options. Improved amenities like better aesthetics, charging sockets, and modern toilets.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the new and augmented services as they become available.
**Indian Railways Staff**
* **Impact:** Increased workload related to operating new train services, maintaining a larger fleet of coaches, and ensuring enhanced cleanliness standards. Need for regular training on new equipment and procedures.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to updated maintenance, cleaning, and operational guidelines. Participate in regular training sessions.
**General Public (General Travellers)**
* **Impact:** Greater availability of unreserved accommodation and affordable travel options due to the addition of general coaches and special train services.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from increased capacity and frequency during peak travel periods.
Key Entities Referenced
Amrit Bharat Express: A specific type of train introduced by Indian Railways offering faster, safer, and jerk-free long-distance travel, with a focus on non-AC modern trains for affordability.
Indian Railways: The national railway company of India, responsible for operating the train services discussed in the policy, including the introduction of new coaches and special train trips.
General Coaches: A type of train coach offered by Indian Railways, particularly emphasized for its increased availability and affordability for common travellers.
Special Train Trips: Temporary train services operated by Indian Railways for festivals and vacations to supplement regular services and cater to increased demand.
Uttar Pradesh: A state within India where specific Amrit Bharat trains are identified as catering to stations.
Ministry of Railways
Common Man's Train: Amrit Bharat Express,
Offering Faster, Safer & Jerk free Long Distance
Travel, Records Over 100% Sleeper Class
Occupancy Since Inception
Indian Railways Permanently Adds 860 General Coaches this
Fiscal Year So Far to Serve Needs of Common Travellers
Bio-Toilets Fitted Across All Trains Ensuring Quality Facilities
at Affordable Price
70,300 Special Train Trips Operated for Festivals and
Vacations Between April 2025 and January 2026
Posted On: 11 MAR 2026 6:57PM by PIB Delhi
As the Railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains are introduced across such boundaries as
per network requirement.
To provide affordable means of transportation to the low and middle income families, Indian Railways
have introduced Amrit Bharat services that are fully non-AC modern trains. The present composition of
Amrit Bharat consists of 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 01 Pantry car and 02
Luggage cum Divyangjan coaches.
High Speed and enhanced Safety standards are the hallmarks of these trains with following enhanced
features and amenities:
i. Better aesthetics of seat and berths with enhanced look & feel on the lines of Vande Bharat
Sleeper.
ii. Jerk Free Semi-Automatic Couplers.
iii. Improved Crashworthiness in coaches by provision of crash tube.
iv. Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and Luggage room.
v. Improved designs of toilets.
vi. Improved design of Ladder for ease of climbing on to the berth.
vii. Improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets.
viii. Provision of EP assisted braking system.
ix. Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles.x. USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
xi. Emergency Talk Back system for two-way communication between Passenger and
Guard/Train Manager.
xii. Non-AC pantry with enhanced heating capacity.
xiii. Fully sealed gangways with quick release mechanism for easy attachment and detachment.
As on 05.03.2026, the following 54 Amrit Bharat Express services are being operated on the Indian
Railways network:
SN Train No. and Name
1 11015/11016 Lokmanya Tilak (T) - Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
2 13697/13698 Gaya - Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
3 15293/15294 Muzaffarpur - Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
4 15557/15558 Darbhanga - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
5 15561/15562 Darbhanga - Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express
6 15567/15568 Bapudham Motihari - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
7 22361/22362 Rajendranagar (T) - New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
8 13433/13434 SMVT Bengaluru - Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express
9 13435/13436 Malda Town - Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express
10 15133/15134 Chhapra - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
11 14047/14048 Sitamarhi - Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
12 14627/14628 Saharsa - Chheharta Amrit Bharat Express
13 19623/19624 Madar - Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express
14 16601/16602 Erode - Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
15 19021/19022 Udhna - Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express
16 15671/15672 Kamakhya - Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express17 20609/20610 New Jalpaiguri - Tiruchchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express
18 16597/16598 SMVT Bengaluru - Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
19 11031/11032 Panvel - Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
20 16107/16108 Tambaram - Santragachi Amrit Bharat Express
21 13065/13066 Howrah - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
22 22587/22588 Sealdah - Banaras Amrit Bharat Express
23 20603/20604 New Jalpaiguri - Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express
24 15949/15950 Dibrugarh - Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
25 16121/16122 Tambaram - Thiruvananthapuram Central Amrit Bharat Express
26 16329/16330 Nagercoil - Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express
27 17041/17042 Charlapalli - Thiruvananthapuram North Amrit Bharat Express
The following Amrit Bharat trains are catering to the stations located in the State of Uttar Pradesh:
SN Train No. and Name
1 15557/15558 Darbhanga-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
2 11015/11016 Lokmanya Tilak (T)-Saharsa Jn Amrit Bharat Express
3 15561/15562 Darbhanga-Gomati Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
4 15567/15568 Bapudham Motihari-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
5 22361/22362 Rajendra Nagar (T)-New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
6 13435/13436 Malda Town-Gomati Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
7 14047/14048 Sitamarhi-Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
8 13697/13698 Gaya-Delhi Amrit Bharat Express9 14627/14628 Saharsa-Chheharta Amrit Bharat Express
10 16601/16602 Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
11 15293/15294 Muzaffarpur-Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
12 15133/15134 Chhapra-Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
13 19623/19624 Madar-Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express
14 11031/11032 Panvel-Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
15 15671/15672 Kamakhya-Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
16 15949/15950 Dibrugarh-Gomtinagar Amrit Bharat Express
17 22587/22588 Sealdah-Banaras Amrit Bharat Express
18 13065/13066 Howrah- Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
The following Amrit Bharat trains are catering to the stations located in the State of Andhra Pradesh:
SN Train No. and Name
1 13433/13435 SMVT Bengaluru-Malda Town Amrit Bharat Express
2 16601/16602 Erode-Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
3 19021/19022 Udhna-Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express
4 16107/16108 Tambaram-Santragachi Amrit Bharat Express
5 20603/20604 New Jalpaiguri-Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express
6 20609/20610 New Jalpaiguri-Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express
7 16597/16598 SMVT Bengaluru-Alipurduar Amrit Bharat Express
8 17041/17042 Hyderabad-Thiruvananthapuram North Amrit Bharat Express
Besides, introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat sleeper services, is an on-going
process, depends on various factors which include-· Capacity of that section
· Availability of path
· Availability of required rolling stock
· Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
· Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets.
· Occupancy and the traffic requirement of the section
Occupancy:
On Indian Railways, the occupancy pattern of trains is not uniform throughout the year and it varies over
lean and peak periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes
remains full whereas during lean period and on less popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization.
However, for the Period 2023-24 to 2025-26 (Upto Jan-26) the overall average occupancy of Amrit Bharat
Express trains in Sleeper Class has been above 100%.
General Coaches
With a view to meet the demand of passengers travelling in unreserved coaches, Railways have
significantly increased the facilities for passengers demanding general class travel. During the last
financial year 2024-25 alone, 1250 general coaches have been utilised in various long-distance trains. In
the current financial year (upto February, 2026), 860 Coaches have been utilised for permanent
augmentation.
To cater to the travel demand of the low and middle income families, Indian Railways have taken up
manufacturing of 17,000 non-AC coaches (general/sleeper).
Indian Railways constantly endeavour to cater to the travelling needs of all sections of society by
providing various types of coaches which includes both Non AC and AC coaches.
On IR, the percentage of Non-AC coaches is about 70%, as indicated below:
Table 1: Distribution of coaches:
Non-AC coaches (general and sleeper) `~62,000 ~70%
AC coaches ~27,000 ~30%
Total coaches ~89,000 100%
Due to higher availability of general coaches, the number of passengers traveling in general/ unreserved
coaches has shown an increasing trend as shown below:
Table 2: Passengers in general/unreserved coaches:
Year No. of Passengers
2020-21 99 Cr (Covid year)
2021-22 275 Cr (Covid year)2022-23 553 Cr
2023-24 609 Cr
2024-25 651 Cr
The number of seats available for non-AC passengers has also increased. The current composition is as
follows:
Table 3: Distribution of seats:
Non-AC seats ~ 54 lakhs ~ 78%
AC seats ~ 15 lakhs ~ 22%
Total ~ 69 lakhs 100%
Further, to cater to the needs of passengers desirous of availing unreserved accommodation, Indian
Railways (IR) operate unreserved non-AC passenger trains/ MEMU / EMU etc. for affordable travel,
which are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in Mail/Express services.
Special Trains:
IR also operates Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc. to cater to the extra needs of
passengers and supplement the accommodation available by regular services.
Accordingly, the number of Special trains operated across the Indian Railways network, to facilitate the
passengers during Summer/winter vacations, festivals like Holi, Durga Puja, Diwali, Chhath, Christmas,
Sabrimala, Id-ul-fitr etc. are as below:
Year No. of trips
2023-24 ~40,500
2024-25 ~85,400
2025-26(upto Jan, 2026) ~70,300
To provide greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, the
extant policy regarding composition of Mail/Express trains provides for 12 (Twelve) General class &
Sleeper class non- AC coaches and 08 (eight) AC-Coaches, in a train of 22 coaches, thereby providing
greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches.
Maintenance of Coaches:
Further, regular actions are taken to ensure and improve maintenance standards and cleanliness of coaches,
which are as follows:· Maintenance of coaches is carried at coaching depots/terminals in line with laid down detailed
guidelines and prescribed standards.
· Mechanized Coach Cleaning is being ensured during maintenance for better cleaning of the coach
including interior, exterior and toilets.
· On-Board Housekeeping Staff Service is being provided to ensure cleanliness on run and Clean Train
Station services are also provided for en-route attention.
· Regular monitoring is done through inspections by nominated officials in divisions/depots & workshops
etc across Zonal Railways.
· Regular training of staff is also undertaken to ensure safety and comfort of passengers.
Sanitation in the General coaches:
Cleanliness is an ongoing process, and Indian Railways make continuous efforts to keep trains well-
maintained and clean. Cleaning of coaches including general coaches is done at both ends including
mechanised cleaning. Toilets are cleaned frequently and there is a well established redressal mechanism
for addressing cleanliness issues during the run of the train. Provision of Clean Train Station (CTS) has
been done for limited mechanized cleaning attention to identified trains. All trains have been fitted with
bio-toilets which help in maintaining cleanliness in trains as well as at tracks/stations. Regular inspections
are conducted for monitoring cleanliness.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a reply to questions in Lok Sabha
today.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Manik Sharma
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