**Executive Summary:**
This document addresses questions raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the impact of Vande Bharat trains on other trains, increasing general coaches, improving sanitation, and compensation for train delays. Indian Railways operates passenger trains according to a charted timetable, prioritizes the needs of economically weaker passengers by increasing general coaches, and implements measures to improve sanitation. Compensation is provided for delays exceeding three hours, subject to specific conditions and rules.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Vande Bharat Train Operations:**
* Passenger train services, including Vande Bharat, operate as per the charted timetable and General Order of Precedence of Trains.
* **General Coaches and Economically Weaker Sections:**
* Indian Railways has significantly increased facilities for economically weaker passengers, with a focus on general/sleeper class travel.
* 1,250 general coaches were utilized in long-distance trains in FY 2024-25.
* 17,000 non-AC coaches (general/sleeper) are planned over the next 5 years.
* Non-AC coaches constitute about 70% of the total coach composition.
* The number of passengers in general unreserved coaches has increased steadily from 0.99 Cr in 2020-21 to 6.51 Cr in 2024-25.
* Non-AC seats account for 78% of total seats.
* Amrit Bharat Express, a fully non-AC modern train, is in operation with 14 services and enhanced features.
* Mail/Express trains' composition policy provides for 12 general/sleeper class non-AC coaches and 8 AC coaches in a 22-coach train.
* Unreserved non-AC passenger trains (MEMU/EMU) are operated for affordable travel.
* **Sanitation Improvements:**
* All passenger coaches are equipped with bio-toilets.
* Mechanized cleaning is implemented at major stations and in trains.
* On-Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS) are provided in approximately 1,375 pairs of trains.
* Clean Train Station (CTS) Scheme is implemented at identified stations.
* Cleanliness is monitored through regular inspections and CCTV feeds.
* Systematic waste segregation and scheduled garbage disposal are enforced.
* Regular maintenance and cleaning of coaches are conducted at depots/terminals.
* **Compensation for Train Delays:**
* Full fare refunds are granted for reserved, RAC, and waitlisted tickets if the journey is not undertaken due to a delay exceeding three hours from the scheduled departure, provided a Ticket Deposit Receipt (TDR) is filed as per Railway Passengers (Cancellation of Tickets and Refund of Fare) Rules 2015.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Passengers (General):**
* *Impact:* Increased availability of general coaches and enhanced features in trains like Amrit Bharat Express provide more affordable and comfortable travel options. Improved sanitation facilities contribute to a better travel experience.
* *Action Required:* Utilize the increased number of general coaches and available unreserved accommodations. Be aware of the compensation policy for delays exceeding three hours and the process for claiming refunds.
* **Passengers (Reserved):**
* *Impact:* Unchanged, however, passengers are subject to the compensation policy for delays exceeding three hours if they choose not to travel, in which case they may be eligible for a refund.
* *Action Required:* Be aware of the compensation policy for delays exceeding three hours and the process for claiming refunds.
* **Indian Railways:**
* *Impact:* Must continue to operate trains on schedule, increase the number of general coaches, maintain sanitation standards, and process compensation claims for eligible passengers.
* *Action Required:* Implement plans to add 17,000 non-AC coaches in the next 5 years, maintain and improve cleanliness standards, and adhere to the refund policy for train delays.
Key Entities Referenced
Vande Bharat trains: A type of passenger train service operated by Indian Railways.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Indian Railways (IR): The state-owned railway company of India, responsible for operating passenger and freight train services.
Amrit Bharat Express: A fully non-AC modern train developed by Indian Railways.
MEMU: An unreserved non-AC passenger train operated by Indian Railways for affordable travel.
EMU: An unreserved non-AC passenger train operated by Indian Railways for affordable travel.
Railway Passengers Cancellation of tickets and refund of fare Rules 2015: Rules pertaining to refund of fare in case of cancellation of train tickets.
On Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS): A service provided on identified trains to maintain cleanliness and hygiene during the train's journey.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2871
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
DELAY OF TRAINS DUE TO OPERATION OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS
2871. SHRI E. TUKARAM:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the number of trains affected and delayed (in hours)
due to the operation of Vande Bharat trains;
(b) whether the Government proposes to increase the number of
general coaches in trains to benefit economically weaker sections
and if so, the details thereof including timeline therefor;
(c) whether there is a plan to improve sanitation at railway stations
and coaches and reduce train delays, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether compensation is paid to passengers in case of long delays
and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) On Indian Railways (IR), passenger train services, including
Vande Bharat services, are operated as per charted time table and
General Order of Precedence of Trains, without infringing other
services and all efforts are made to run trains as per their schedule.IR, have significantly increased the facilities for the benefit of
economically weaker passengers who demand general/sleeper class
travel. During the last financial year 2024-25 alone, 1250 general
coaches have been utilised in various long-distance trains.
To cater to the travel demand of the low and middle income families,
Indian Railways have taken up 17,000 non-AC coaches(
general/sleeper) over the next 5 years.
On IR, the percentage of non-AC coaches, is about 70% as indicated
below:
Table 1: Distribution of coaches:
Coach type No. of Coaches Percentage
Non-AC coaches (general and ~57,200 ~70%
sleeper)
AC coaches ~25,000 ~30%
Total coaches ~82,200 100%
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 over the years. The current composition is as follows:
Table 3: Distribution of seats:
Seat Type No. of seats Percentage
Non-AC seats ~ 54 lakhs ~ 78%
AC seats ~ 15 lakhs ~ 22%
Total ~ 69 lakhs 100%
Given the above data, it is clear that Indian Railways is committed to
the low and middle income families who prefer railways as an
affordable means of transportation.
Amrit Bharat Express:
Railways have developed a fully non-AC modern train named as Amrit
Bharat express. Already 14 services are in operation.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.
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.
Standard Composition:
To provide greater accommodation for the passengers using General
and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, the extant policy regarding compositionof 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.
Indian Railways make every endeavour to keep trains & stations in
properly maintained and clean condition to ensure passengers comfort
and a pleasant travel experience. Various measures have been taken
to improve sanitation at Railway stations and coaches. Key measures
include:-
All passenger coaches have been installed with bio-toilets so that
no human waste is discharged from coaches on to the track and
resulted in improved cleanliness level of platform & station like
never before.
Mechanized Cleaning is being carried out at major stations and
in trains.
On Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS) is provided to maintain
cleanliness and hygiene in identified trains during run of the train.
Currently, OBHS is provided in approximately 1,375 pairs of
trains.
Clean Train Station (CTS) Scheme is provided at identified
stations to improve the cleanliness of trains en-route by
undertaking limited mechanized cleaning.
Regular inspections for monitoring cleanliness.
Feeds from CCTVS cameras installed at stations are also being
utilised to monitor cleanliness activities from time to time. Systematic waste segregation, use of colour-coded bins, and
scheduled garbage disposal at en-route stations are being
enforced to manage onboard and station waste efficiently.
Regular actions are taken to ensure and improve proper maintenance
quality and cleaning of coaches including passenger trains including
Maintenance of coaches at Coaching Depots/Terminals in line with
laid-out detailed guidelines/standards cleaning the trains with water.
Besides, to facilitate the upkeep of the coaches during run On Board
Housekeeping Service (OBHS) and Clean Train Stations (CTS)
services are also provided for en-route attention. These are regularly
monitored through nominated officials in Division/Depots & Workshop
across Zonal Railways.
Full refund of fare is granted without deduction of cancellation or
clerkage charge to all passengers holding reserved, RAC and wait
listed tickets, If the journey is not undertaken due to late running of
train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train
from station commencing journey, provided ticket is cancelled/ ticket
deposit receipt (TDR) is filed as the case may be as per Railway
Passengers (Cancellation of tickets and refund of fare) Rules 2015
within the prescribed time limit.
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