**Executive Summary**
This document addresses Unstarred Question No. 2858 in Lok Sabha, to be answered on December 17, 2025, concerning the Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar Special Train. The question asks about the train's high occupancy, proposes its regular operation and route extension, and suggests reconsideration of the proposal. The Minister of Railways responded, stating that Indian Railways operates special trains during peak demand times and that introducing or regularizing special train services depends on factors like capacity, availability of path, infrastructure, and maintenance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Train Operation:**
* Train No. 05635/05636 Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar special train had an occupancy rate exceeding 100% during its operational period.
* Indian Railways (IR) operates special train services to accommodate passengers during festivals, holidays, religious congregations, etc.
* To cater to passenger needs in the Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar sector, IR operated train numbers 05635/05636 as a special train between May 21, 2025 and June 25, 2025.
* **Route Extension / Regularization Factors:**
* The introduction of new trains or the regularization of special train services depends on various factors:
* Capacity of the railway section.
* Availability of path (train route).
* Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock.
* Maintenance requirements of railway tracks and other assets.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Passengers (especially Pilgrims, Traders, and Soldiers)
* **Impact:** The potential for increased travel convenience, especially for pilgrims, traders, and soldiers, to pilgrimage sites and between East and West regions.
* **Action Required:** Await potential adjustments to train schedules and routes based on feasibility assessments and infrastructure considerations.
**Stakeholder:** Ministry of Railways
* **Impact:** Need to evaluate the feasibility and resources required for operating the train regularly and extending its route.
* **Action Required:** Assess capacity, infrastructure, and maintenance requirements; potentially adjust railway operations to accommodate demand.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways (IR): The operator of special train services mentioned in the document.
Ministry of Railways: The government body to which the question is addressed.
Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar: The route for which a special train service is being discussed.
Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar Special Train No. 05635/05636: The special train service that is the subject of the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2858
TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025
GUWAHATI-SRI GANGANAGAR SPECIAL TRAIN
†2858. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that Train No.05635/05636 Guwahati-Sri
Ganganagar special train service had run with more than 200 per cent
occupancy during its operational period and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to operate this train service on
regular and daily basis and extend its route from Guwahati to Sri
Ganganagar via New Bongaigaon, New Jalpaiguri, Barauni, Hajipur,
Siwan, Thawe, Dudhhi, Kaptanganj, Gorakhpur, Ayodhya, Lucknow,
Kanpur, Bandikui, Jaipur so that pilgrims can have convenient transport
facility to the pilgrimage sites located on the said route and the same
shall also prove beneficial for the movement of traders and soldiers and
if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, whether the Government proposes to reconsider this proposal
in view of the huge demand, facilitation of religious pilgrimages,
movement of soldiers and traders and strengthening of East-West
connectivity?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c) To facilitate travel of passengers during festivals, holidays,
religious congregations etc., Indian Railways (IR) operates Special train
services to supplement the accommodation available by regular trains.Accordingly, to cater to the needs of passengers of Guwahati-Sri
Ganganagar sector, IR operated 05635/05636 Guwahati-Sri Ganganagar
Special between 21-05-2025 to 25-06-2025. The occupancy of Train No.
05635/05636 Guwahati-Sriganganagar special train had been more than
100%.
Further, introduction of new trains/regularisation of special train
services on any route/section depends on various factors which include:
Capacity of that section
Availability of path
Availability of matching infrastructure of rolling stock
Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets.
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