Executive Summary:
This document is the Indian Ministry of Railways' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 466 regarding overcrowding in passenger trains. It provides data on passenger travel since 2019, details steps taken to address overcrowding, and clarifies the government's position on budget-friendly passenger trains. The response covers the period from 2019-20 to 2024-25 and includes data up to July 23, 2025.
Key Points / Main Content:
Passenger Statistics:
* 3,349 crore passengers traveled on Indian Railways in the last 6 years (2019-20 to 2024-25), including 418 crore in reserved and 2,931 crore in unreserved classes.
* Passenger numbers were affected by COVID-19 in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Measures to Address Overcrowding:
* Traffic patterns are regularly monitored, and measures are taken based on operational feasibility and resource availability.
* Augmentation of existing trains, running special trains, introduction of new trains, and increased frequency of existing trains.
* Approximately 13,500 special train trips were operated each year in 2024 and 2025 for Holi and Summer vacation.
* 7,990 special train trips served approximately 1.8 crore passengers during Durga Pooja-Deepawali-Chhath (October 1 to November 30, 2024).
* Over 17,300 trains served approximately 4.24 crore passengers during Maha Kumbh (January 13 to February 28, 2025).
General Class Travel:
* 1250 general coaches were added to long-distance trains in the financial year 2024-25.
* Non-AC coaches constitute approximately 70% of the total coaches (57,200 out of 82,200).
* The number of passengers traveling in general unreserved coaches has increased from 99 Cr (2020-21) to 651 Cr (2024-25).
* Non-AC seats account for 54 lakhs out of a total of 69 lakhs seats.
Amrit Bharat Express:
* 14 Amrit Bharat Express services are in operation, featuring modern amenities and a composition of 8 Sleeper Class and 11 General Class coaches.
Train Composition Policy:
* The policy for Mail/Express trains allows for 12 General/Sleeper class non-AC coaches and 8 AC coaches in a 22-coach train.
Unreserved Travel:
* Indian Railways operates unreserved non-AC passenger trains (MEMU/EMU) for affordable travel, in addition to unreserved coaches in Mail/Express services.
Future Plans:
* A special manufacturing program is underway for 17,000 non-AC general/sleeper coaches over the next 5 years.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers:
* Impact: Increased availability of general coaches, special trains during peak seasons, and the introduction of modern amenities in trains like Amrit Bharat Express aim to improve travel conditions and accommodate more passengers.
* Action Required: Passengers should utilize the increased availability of general coaches and special trains, and take advantage of the modern amenities offered.
Indian Railways (IR):
* Impact: IR is tasked with monitoring traffic patterns, augmenting trains, running special trains, and manufacturing new coaches to address overcrowding.
* Action Required: IR needs to continue monitoring traffic, implement plans for manufacturing 17,000 non-AC coaches, and ensure the effective operation of special trains and the Amrit Bharat Express services.
Coach Manufacturers:
* Impact: Increased demand for non-AC general/sleeper coaches due to the manufacturing program.
* Action Required: Ramp up production to meet the target of 17,000 coaches over the next 5 years.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways: The national railway system of India, responsible for passenger and freight transport.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Holi: A Hindu spring festival celebrated in India, during which special trains are operated.
Summer vacation: A period during which schools and colleges are closed, leading to increased passenger traffic and the operation of special trains.
Durga Pooja-Deepawali-Chhath: A series of major Hindu festivals in India (Durga Pooja, Deepawali, and Chhath) that result in a surge in passenger traffic.
Maha Kumbh: A major Hindu pilgrimage and festival that occurs every 12 years, resulting in a large increase in passenger traffic.
Amrit Bharat Express: A fully non-AC modern train developed by Indian Railways with advanced features for general class travel.
MEMU/EMU: Mainline Electric Multiple Unit/Electric Multiple Unit trains operated by Indian Railways for affordable unreserved travel.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 466
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
OVERCROWDING IN PASSENGER TRAINS
†466. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the data of passengers travelling in Indian Railways since
2019, year and class-wise;
(b) the details of the steps taken by the Government to
address the problem of overcrowding in passenger trains;
(c) whether the Government has reduced the number and
capacity of budget-friendly passenger trains;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government proposes to add some new
coaches in the passenger trains to address the issue of
overcrowding in the general coaches in the trains; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f) : During last 6 years (2019-20 to 2024-25), total 3,349 Cr.
Passengers travelled in Indian Railways which included 418 Cr.
reserved and 2,931 Cr. unreserved class passengers (2020-21 &
2021-22 were COVID years).
Page 1 of 5On 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 periods and on less
popular routes, there is sub optimal utilization.
Traffic pattern of the trains running on Indian Railways is monitored
on regular basis and to cater to additional demand, load of existing
trains are augmented, special trains are run, new trains are
introduced, frequency of existing trains is increased etc. subject to
operational feasibility, availability of resources etc.
Accordingly, during the years 2024 and 2025 around 13,500 trips of
special trains each year were operated to meet the extra rush of
passengers during Holi and Summer vacation. To cater to the rush
during Durga Pooja/Deepawali/Chhath, 7,990 trips of Special trains
were operated during the period 1st October,2024 to 30th
November, 2024, to serve approximately 1.8 crore passengers.
With a view to facilitate the passengers during the recently
concluded Maha Kumbh, IR operated more than 17,300 trains during
the period 13th January, 2025 to 28th February, 2025, which served
approximately 4.24 crore passengers.
Railways have significantly increased the facilities for passengers
demanding general class travel. During the last financial year 2024-
Page 2 of 525 alone, 1250 general coaches have been utilised in various long-
distance trains.
The percentage of non-AC coaches has significantly increased to
about 70% as detailed below:
Table 1: Distribution of coaches:
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:
Page 3 of 5Table 3: Distribution of seats:
Non-AC seats ~ 54 lakhs ~ 78%
AC seats ~ 15 lakhs ~ 22%
Total ~ 69 lakhs 100%
Railways have developed a fully non-AC modern train named as
Amrit Bharat express. Already 14 services are in operation. These
modern trains have advanced features like Semi-Permanent
couplers for jerk free travel, horizontal sliding windows, foldable
snack tables and bottle holders, mobile holders etc. These trains
comprise 8 Sleeper Class coaches and 11 General Class coaches.
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.
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.
Page 4 of 5Development of Amrit Bharat Express trains, manufacturing of
MEMU trains, and increasing the share of general coaches clearly
shows that Indian Railways is catering effectively to the demand for
travel in general class.
Over and above the current high share of non-AC coaches (~70% of
total coaches), Railways is executing a special manufacturing
programme for 17,000 non-AC general/sleeper coaches over the
next 5 years.
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