**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer provided by the Minister of Railways to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1681, to be answered on December 10, 2025, regarding overcrowding and shortage of coaches in the Palakkad Division of Indian Railways. The answer outlines measures taken to address passenger demand, including special trains, coach augmentation, and monitoring traffic patterns. It addresses concerns about routes including Kasaragod-Kannur-Kozhikode-Mangalore.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Occupancy Variation:** Train occupancy varies throughout the year, with peak periods experiencing full occupancy, especially on popular routes, and lean periods experiencing sub-optimal utilization.
* **Current Service Levels:**
* Kozhikode is served by 114 train services.
* Mangaluru Central is served by 58 train services.
* Both stations are served by 4 Vande Bharat train services.
* The Kozhikode – Mangaluru sector is served by 47 pairs of train services including 2 Vande Bharat train services.
* **Measures to Enhance Accommodation:**
* Indian Railways monitors traffic patterns to provide additional accommodation.
* Special train services are operated during festivals and holidays.
* Train loads are augmented on both permanent and temporary bases.
* **Coach and Train Augmentation:**
* 52,731 special trains were operated and 660 coaches were utilized to augment train services on a permanent basis in 2025-26 (until October 2025).
* 1,250 general coaches were utilized in various long-distance trains in the financial year 2024-25.
* 492 trips of extra coaches were attached temporarily to trains on the Palakkad Division.
* **GS Coaches:**
* All 19 pairs of trains serving the Kasaragod – Kozhikode – Kannur – Mangaluru sector are operated with a minimum of 4 GS Coaches.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Passengers (Daily Commuters and Long Distance)**
* **Impact:** Passengers should experience some relief from overcrowding due to special trains, coach augmentation, and the operation of minimum 4 GS coaches in the trains serving the Kasaragod – Kozhikode – Kannur – Mangaluru sector.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is required. Passengers can expect improvements in service availability.
**Stakeholder: Palakkad Division**
* **Impact:** The Palakkad Division is the focus of targeted measures to address overcrowding and coach shortages, receiving 492 trips of extra coaches on a temporary basis.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is required.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The primary government body responsible for addressing the question about overcrowding and shortage of coaches.
Indian Railways (IR): The railway network being discussed, and the operator of train services.
Palakkad Division: A railway division where overcrowding and coach shortages are a concern.
Kasaragod-Kannur-Kozhikode–Mangalore routes: Specific train routes where overcrowding and seating capacity are major concerns.
Vande Bharat: A type of train service serving the mentioned routes.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
OVERCROWDING/SHORTAGE OF COACHES CONSTRAINTS ON PALAKKAD
DIVISION
1681. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of severe overcrowding and
inadequate seating capacity on major trains operating through
Kasaragod–Kannur–Kozhikode–Mangalore routes and if so, the details
thereof;
(b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase coach
composition, add special services and improve rake allocation for
Palakkad Division; and
(c) the monitoring mechanism and timeframe for providing measurable
relief to daily commuters and long distance passengers? whether the
Government has conducted any study to assess the demand-supply
gap and proposes to introduce additional services, extended rakes or
new coaches to ease congestion and if so, the details thereof;
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (c): On Indian Railways, 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 period and on less popular routes, there is
sub optimal utilization. At present, Kozhikode and Mangaluru Central
stations are being served by 114 and 58 train services respectively. Both
the stations are served by 4 Vande Bharat train services. Further,Kozhikode – Mangaluru sector is presently being served by 47 pairs of train
services including 2 Vande Bharat train services.
Furthermore, traffic pattern of the passengers on Indian Railways is
monitored on regular basis and in its constant endeavour to provide
additional accommodation to travelling passengers, Indian Railways (IR),
operates Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc. to cater to
the extra needs of passengers and supplement the accommodation
available by regular services. In addition to the above, the load of trains are
also augmented, both on a permanent and temporary basis, to generate
additional accommodation for different segments of passengers.
Accordingly, on the Indian Railways (IR) network, during Year 2025-26 (till
October 2025), 52731 special trains were operated and 660 coaches have
been utilized for augmentation of train services on a permanent basis.
Moreover, Indian Railways (IR) has significantly increased the facilities for
passengers demanding 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 peak season and festival rush, 492 trips of extra coaches, on
Palakkad Division, have been attached on temporary basis, to generate
additional accommodation for different segments of passengers of the
section. Presently, all the 19 pairs of trains serving the Kasaragod –
Kozhikode – Kannur – Mangaluru serctor, are being operated with minimum
4 GS Coaches.
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