**Executive Summary**
This report, published on December 10, 2025, details the Indian Railways' increase in train services post-COVID-19 rationalization. The daily average train services have risen to 11,740, and Mail/Express services have increased to 2,238. It also highlights the introduction of the indigenously designed Vande Bharat Sleeper Train, with two rakes currently undergoing trial and commissioning.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Post-COVID-19 Service Restoration:**
* Daily average train services increased to 11,740 in November 2025, compared to 11,283 pre-COVID-19.
* Daily average Mail/Express services increased to 2,238 in November 2025, compared to 1,768 pre-COVID-19.
* Indian Railways had discontinued regular passenger trains from March 23, 2020, and operated only special train services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
* **Vande Bharat Sleeper Train:**
* Indigenously designed for long and medium distance overnight travel.
* Two rakes are under trial and commissioning.
* **Technological Advancements and Safety Features of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains:**
* Fitted with KAVACH.
* Higher acceleration with design/operating speed of 180/160 KMPH.
* Crashworthy and Jerk-Free Semi permanent couplers and Anti Climbers.
* Crashworthy Design of Carbody complying with EN standards.
* EN-45545 HL3 fire safety standards.
* Fire barrier doors at the end of each coach.
* Improved fire safety Aerosol based fire detection and suppression system in electrical cabinets and lavatories.
* Regenerative braking system for energy efficiency.
* Air conditioning units provided with indigenously developed UV-C lamp based disinfection systems.
* Centrally controlled Automatic Plug Doors and Fully Sealed wider gangways
* CCTVs in all coaches.
* Emergency talk-back unit for communication between Passenger and Train Manager/Loco Pilot in case of emergency.
* For Divyangjan passengers a special lavatory in the driving coaches on each end.
* Centralized Coach Monitoring System for better condition monitoring of passenger amenities such as Air conditioning, Saloon Lighting etc.
* Ergonomically designed ladder for ease of climbing on to upper berths.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Railways:**
* **Impact:** Indian Railways have rationalized time-table including rationalization of train services and stoppages. They have also increased the number of train services and are introducing new train designs with advanced safety features.
* **Action Required:** Continue trials and commissioning of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.
**Passengers:**
* **Impact:** Increased train availability and punctuality; enhanced safety and comfort with the introduction of Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the new features and amenities of the Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains: Indigenously designed sleeper train for long and medium distance overnight travel, currently under trial and commissioning.
Indian Railways (IR): The railway network whose train services were affected by COVID-19 and subsequently rationalized.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the railways in India, issuing the press release.
KAVACH: A train collision avoidance system fitted in Vande Bharat trains.
Ministry of Railways
Daily Average Train Services Rise to 11,740 Post
Covid 19 Rationalisation from Pre Pandemic
Level of 11,283 Daily Trains
2238 Mail and Express Services, 470 Up From Pre-Covid
Level of 1768 Trains Daily
Indigenously Designed Vande Bharat Sleeper Train for Long
and Medium Distance Overnight Travel Ready for
Comfortable Travel; Two Rakes Under Trial and
Commissioning
प्रव तथ: 10 DEC 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi
At present, 164 Vande Bharat train services having Chair Cars are operational on the Indian Railways
network. Besides, introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat Express services and its
variants, is an ongoing process on Indian Railways which 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
With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Indian Railways (IR) had discontinued the
operation of all regular passenger carrying trains with effect from 23rd March, 2020 and only special train
services were being operated. Indian Railways also undertook rationalisation of time-table, including
rationalisation of train services and stoppages, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay.
The exercise has been undertaken inter alia to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance
corridor blocks, speeding up of train services and to improve punctuality. Since November-2021, Express
train services are being operated as per rationalized time table and regular numbers.
The daily average number of train services on the Indian Railways network is 11,740 (November 2025) as
against 11,283 services operating prior to Covid-19. The daily average number of Mail/Express services
on the Indian Railways network is 2,238 (November 2025) as against 1,768 services operating prior to
Covid-19.
Vande Bharat Sleeper TrainsTo cater to long and medium distance overnight travel, the Sleeper variant of Vande Bharat train has been
indigenously designed. Two such rakes have been manufactured and are under trial/commissioning.
Broad Technological advancements and safety features provided in Vande Bharat Sleeper Trains are as
below.
● Fitted with KAVACH
● Higher acceleration with design/operating speed of 180/160 KMPH
● Crashworthy and Jerk-Free Semi permanent couplers and Anti Climbers
● Crashworthy Design of Carbody complying with EN standards.
● EN-45545 HL3 fire safety standards.
● Fire barrier doors at the end of each coach
● Improved fire safety Aerosol based fire detection and suppression system in electrical cabinets
and lavatories.
● Regenerative braking system for energy efficiency.
● Air conditioning units provided with indigenously developed UV-C lamp based disinfection
systems.
● Centrally controlled Automatic Plug Doors and Fully Sealed wider gangways
● CCTVs in all coaches.
● Emergency talk-back unit for communication between Passenger and Train Manager/Loco Pilot in
case of emergency.
● For Divyangjan passengers a special lavatory in the driving coaches on each end.
● Centralized Coach Monitoring System for better condition monitoring of passenger amenities
such as Air conditioning, Saloon Lighting etc.
● Ergonomically designed ladder for ease of climbing on to upper berths.
This information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting and
Electronics & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, in written replies to questions in Lok
Sabha today.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2201557) आगंतुक पटल : 422
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