Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addressed a question regarding the potential renaming of the Garib Rath Express due to public sentiment. While there are no current requests to rename the Garib Rath, the Ministry highlights the introduction of Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services, each aimed at providing enhanced and affordable travel options. These services feature improved amenities, safety measures, and cater to different passenger segments.
Key Points / Main Content:
Garib Rath Renaming:
* No requests have been received to rename Garib Rath trains.
Alternative Train Services Introduced:
* Vande Bharat Service:
* Semi-high speed trains providing better travel experience and improved safety.
* Features include KAVACH system, faster acceleration, sealed gangway, automatic plug doors, better ride comfort, mini pantry, ergonomic seats, mobile charging, Divyangjan lavatory, and CCTVs.
* 144 services currently operational on Broad Gauge electrified network.
* Amrit Bharat Service:
* Affordable, fully non-AC modern trains for low and middle-income families.
* 14 services are in operation.
* Composition: 11 General Class, 8 Sleeper Class, 1 Pantry car, and 2 Luggage cum Divyangjan coaches.
* Features enhanced aesthetics, semi-automatic couplers, improved crashworthiness, CCTV system, improved toilet designs, improved ladder design, LED lighting, charging sockets, EP assisted braking, fire suppression system, USB charging sockets, emergency talk-back system, non-AC pantry, and sealed gangways.
* Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Service:
* Enhances travel experience for suburban and regional commuters on short distances.
* Features: Centrally controlled automatic sliding doors, CCTVs, mobile charging sockets, fire detection system, LED lighting, emergency talk system, modular interior with cushioned seats, FRP modular toilets, and full air-conditioning.
* Four services currently operational:
* Ahmedabad-Bhuj Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
* Jaynagar-Patna Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
Impact Analysis:
Passengers:
* Impact: Passengers now have access to a range of train services with varied amenities and price points.
* Action Required: Evaluate the available train services (Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat) to choose the option that best suits their needs and budget.
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Demonstrates a commitment to improving passenger experience and safety across different socio-economic groups.
* Action Required: Continue monitoring the performance of the new train services and gathering feedback to make further improvements.
General Public:
* Impact: Increased accessibility to transportation with advanced technology.
* Action Required: Stay informed about the developments in Railways to utilize new services.
Key Entities Referenced
Garib Rath Express: A type of affordable AC train service in India, the subject of potential renaming due to perceived negative connotations.
Amritsar: A city in Punjab, India, whose population frequently uses the Garib Rath Express service.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology of India.
Vande Bharat service: A semi-high speed train service introduced by Indian Railways to provide better travel experience and improved safety.
KAVACH system: A train collision avoidance system implemented in Vande Bharat services.
Amrit Bharat service: A fully non-AC modern train service introduced by Indian Railways to provide affordable transportation to low and middle-income families.
Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service: A rail service by Indian Railways aimed to enhance the travel experience to suburban and regional commuters for short-distance travel.
Jaynagar, Bihar: A city in Bihar, India which is part of a Namo Bharat Rapid Rail route (Jaynagar-Patna).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2837
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
RE-NAMING OF GARIB RATH EXPRESS
2837. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing public
sentiment/appeals to change the name of the Garib Rath Express due
to concerns regarding the dignity and self-respect of passengers, if so,
the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government acknowledges that the term Garib Rath
once symbolic of affordable AC travel now risks being perceived as
patronising and inconsistent with the aspirations of the emerging
middle class especially the hardworking population of Amritsar who
frequently use this service, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal to rename the train in a way that
better reflects values of empowerment, Inclusion and national pride, if
so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government will conduct public and stakeholder
consultations before finalising any such renaming, if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d) Bharatiya Rail is focussed on providing affordable, good
quality services to all sections of society. While no requests have beenreceived to rename Garib Rath trains, Railways has developed
following trains:
1. Vande Bharat service:
Indian Railways have introduced Vande Bharat services which are
semi-high speed trains and are aimed to provide better travel
experience and improved safety to the passengers. These services are
equipped with enhanced safety features and modern passenger
amenities like-
I. KAVACH system
II. Faster acceleration
III. Fully Sealed Gangway
IV. Automatic Plug Doors
V. Better Ride Comfort
VI. Mini Pantry with provision of Hot Case
VII. Bottle Cooler
VIII. Deep freezer & Hot water Boiler
IX. Reclining Ergonomic Seats
X. Comfortable Seating with revolving seats in executive class
XI. Mobile charging sockets for every seat
XII. Special lavatory for Divyangjan passengers in Driving
Trailer Car(DTC),
XIII. CCTVs, etc.
Presently, 144 Vande Bharat train services are operational on the
Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network of Indian Railways.
2. Amrit Bharat service:
To provide affordable means of transportation to the low and middle
income families, Indian Railways have introduced Amrit Bharatservices that are fully non-AC modern trains. 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.
3. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service
Indian Railways have introduced Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services.
These services are aimed to enhance the travel experience to thesuburban and regional commuters for short distance travel. At present,
the following 4 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are in operation:
(i) 94801/02 Ahmedabad-Bhuj Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
(ii) 94803/04 Jaynagar-Patna Namo Bharat Rapid Rail
The prominent features of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail include-
(i) Centrally controlled Double Leaf Automatic Sliding Doors
(ii) CCTVs for safety and passenger surveillance
(iii) Mobile charging sockets, Fire Detection System
(iv) Continuous LED lighting with Energy Efficient Lighting system
(v) Emergency Talk System
(vi) Modular interior with Cushioned Seats and Sealed Flexible
Gangway
(vii) FRP Modular Toilets with vacuum evacuation and
(viii) Fully Air-Conditioned trains with Driver cab AC.
*****