**Executive Summary**
Indian Railways is modernizing its services with a focus on common passengers by enhancing affordability, safety, and convenience. Key initiatives include record production of modern general and non-AC coaches, special train operations for seasonal rush, and improved station facilities. The development of passenger holding areas is targeted for completion before the 2026 festival season.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Coach Production:**
* Record production of General and non-AC coaches to increase passenger capacity and comfort.
* Production plan for 2025-26 includes 4,838 new LHB GS and Non AC coaches.
* Production target for 2026-27 is 4,802 LHB coaches.
* **Special Train Operations:**
* Over 43,000 special train trips were operated in 2025 for various festivals and seasons.
* **Station Improvements:**
* 76 stations identified for development of passenger holding areas.
* New holding areas will follow modular designs based on local conditions.
* **Ticketing Integrity:**
* Strengthened ticketing integrity through Aadhaar verification.
* Aadhaar verification required for Tatkal tickets.
* 5.73 crore suspicious and inactive IRCTC accounts deactivated/suspended.
* **Safety & Security:**
* 84% of funds allocated for safety-related works under GBS outlays for 2025-26.
* The safety budget has nearly tripled to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current financial year.
* Fog safety devices have increased significantly.
* **New Train Services:**
* 30 Amrit Bharat train services are operational, providing affordable non-AC travel.
* Two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services operational for regional connectivity.
**Impact Analysis**
**Passengers**
* **Impact**: Increased travel comfort, convenience, safety, and affordability through modern coaches, special train operations, and improved station facilities.
* **Action Required**: Aadhaar verification for Tatkal ticket booking and adherence to railway safety guidelines.
**Indian Railways (Operations & Management)**
* **Impact**: Modernization and strengthening of infrastructure and services, improved safety, and enhanced passenger experience.
* **Action Required**: Implementation of planned coach production, operation of special trains, development of passenger holding areas, and continued focus on safety and security.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The primary organization implementing the policies and initiatives discussed in the document, focused on improving passenger services.
Amrit Bharat Train Services: A scheme by Indian Railways focused on providing non-AC train services with Sleeper and General Class coaches at affordable fares to improve regional rail connectivity.
Aadhaar: Used for verification of users for ticketing to strengthen ticketing integrity and prevent illegal booking.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Strengthens Affordable Travel for
Common Passengers with Record Production of
Modern General and Non-AC Coaches
Passenger Comfort and Safety Enhanced with Better
Stations, Fair Ticketing, and 30 Amrit Bharat Train Services
प्रव तथ: 06 JAN 2026 6:32PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Railways is modernising its infrastructure and services with a strong focus on the needs of common
passengers, aiming to make train travel more convenient, comfortable, safe and affordable. Through
sustained investment, operational reforms and technology adoption, Indian Railways is strengthening a
passenger-first approach that prioritises everyday travellers.
Record Production of Modern General Coaches to Enhance Affordable Passenger Capacity
Indian Railways has achieved record production of General and non-AC coaches equipped with modern
passenger-friendly facilities to accommodate rising demand at affordable fares. These coaches enhance
travel comfort while significantly increasing carrying capacity, reinforcing Indian Railways’ commitment
to inclusive and accessible rail travel.
Building on this base, Indian Railways has an ongoing coach production programme for the current and
the next financial year to further strengthen and modernise its passenger fleet. For the ongoing financial
year 2025–26, which is already in its final quarter, the production plan provides for 4,838 new LHB GS
and Non AC coaches (LS coaches- 2817, LSCN coaches- 2021). For 2026–27, the production target is
4,802 LHB coaches (LS coaches- 2638, LSCN coaches- 2164). This planned production is aimed at
meeting rising passenger demand while enhancing safety, comfort and the overall quality of train services.
Unprecedented Scale of Special Train Operations to Manage Festive and Seasonal Rush
To manage seasonal and festive rush, Indian Railways significantly scaled up special train operations in
2025. A record over 43,000 special train trips were operated, including 17,340 for Maha Kumbh, 1,144
for Holi, 12,417 Summer Specials and 12,383 for Chhath Puja, ensuring smoother passenger movement
and improved travel convenience during peak periods. These large-scale operations helped ease
congestion, ensured smoother passenger movement and provided timely connectivity during periods of
exceptionally high demand.
Development of Passenger Holding Areas at Major Stations to Improve Crowd Management and
Pre-Boarding Comfort
Indian Railways has identified 76 stations across the country for the development of passenger holdin
g areas, following the successful implementation of the Yatri Suvidha Kendra at New Delhi Railway
Station. The New Delhi holding area, completed in four months, can accommodate about 7,000 passengersand is equipped with toilets, ticketing facilities, automatic ticket vending machines and free RO drinking
water. The new holding areas will follow modular designs based on local conditions and are targeted for
completion before the 2026 festival season.
Strengthening Ticketing Integrity Through Aadhaar Verification and Action Against Illegal Booking
To ensure that genuine passengers receive confirmed tickets, Indian Railways has strengthened ticketing
integrity through Aadhaar verification and advanced technological monitoring. Aadhaar verification of
users is an important step which has been taken to make the system more robust. Only Aadhaar-verified
users are allowed to book Tatkal tickets. Cutting-edge technology is also being used to identify and
prevent unscrupulous users trying to misuse the e-ticketing system. As a result, 5.73 crore suspicious and
inactive IRCTC user accounts have been deactivated or temporarily suspended, with further action
ongoing.
Enhanced Focus on Passenger Safety and Security With Major Investments and Technology
Deployment
Passenger safety remains a top priority, with 84 per cent of funds allocated for safety-related works
already utilised under the Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) outlays for 2025–26. Consequential train
accidents have declined sharply from 135 in 2014-15 to 31 in 2024-25 and further to 11 in 2025-26 (up to
November 2025), compared to an average of 171 per year during 2004–14. The safety budget has nearly
tripled to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current financial year. Fog safety devices have increased from 90 in 2014
to 25,939 in 2025.
Introduction of Amrit Bharat and Namo Bharat Trains to Improve Non-AC and Regional Rail
Connectivity
Amrit Bharat Express trains, fully non-AC services with Sleeper and General Class coaches, are providing
high-quality travel at affordable fares. During 2025, 13 Amrit Bharat trains were introduced, taking the
total operational services to 30. In addition, two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are operational between
Bhuj–Ahmedabad and Jaynagar–Patna, strengthening high-frequency regional connectivity.
Presently, 30 Amrit Bharat train services are operational on the Indian Railways network, as listed below:
S.N. Train Number and Name
1 15133/15134 Chhapra - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
2 15293/15294 Muzaffarpur - Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
3 19021/19022 Udhna - Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express
4 19623/19624 Madar Jn (Ajmer) - Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express
5 14628/14627 Chheharta (Amritsar) - Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
6 16601/16602 Erode jn. - Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
7 13697/13698 Gaya - Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
8 14048/14047 Delhi - Sitamarhi Amrit Bharat Express9 22361/22362 Rajendra Nagar (T) - New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
10 15567/15568 Bapudham Motihari - Anand Vihar (T) Amrit Bharat Express
11 15561/15562 Darbhanga - Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
12 13435/13436 Malda Town - Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
13 11015/11016 Lokmanya Tilak(T) - Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
14 13434/13433 Malda town - SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
15 15557/15558 Darbhanga Jn. - Anand Vihar(T) Amrit Bharat Express
Indian Railways is strengthening its focus on common passengers by increasing affordable non-AC
capacity, running special trains to manage rush and improving station facilities. Strong action against
illegal ticketing, major safety investments and with the introduction of non-AC Amrit Bharat trains &
improved regional connectivity, Indian Railways is steadily building a modern, inclusive and passenger-
first transport system focused on everyday travellers.
*****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2211840) आगंतुक पटल : 1036
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