Executive Summary:
This document addresses a parliamentary inquiry regarding the reduction of unreserved coaches in Indian Railways. It clarifies that instead of reducing unreserved coaches, the Railways have increased facilities for general class travel. The document provides data on the increased availability of non-AC coaches and passengers traveling in unreserved coaches, along with details of alternative arrangements and future plans. The answer was provided on July 23, 2025, in response to Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 50.
Key Points / Main Content:
General Class Travel Enhancement:
Railways have significantly increased facilities for passengers demanding general class travel.
1,250 general coaches were utilized in various long-distance trains in the financial year 2024-25.
Non-AC Coaches:
The percentage of non-AC coaches has significantly increased to about 70%.
Distribution of coaches: 57,200 Non-AC coaches (70%) and 25,000 AC coaches (30%).
Passenger Traffic in Unreserved Coaches:
The number of passengers traveling in general unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend.
Passenger numbers: 2020-21 (99 Cr), 2021-22 (275 Cr), 2022-23 (553 Cr), 2023-24 (609 Cr), 2024-25 (651 Cr).
Seating Capacity:
The number of seats available for non-AC passengers has also increased over the years.
Distribution of seats: 54 lakhs Non-AC seats (78%) and 15 lakhs AC seats (22%).
Amrit Bharat Express:
Railways have developed a fully non-AC modern train named Amrit Bharat Express.
14 Amrit Bharat Express services are currently in operation.
Each train comprises 8 Sleeper Class coaches and 11 General Class coaches.
Mail/Express Train Composition Policy:
The policy provides for 12 General class/Sleeper class non-AC coaches and 8 AC Coaches in a train of 22 coaches.
Unreserved Trains:
Indian Railways operates unreserved non-AC passenger trains (MEMU, EMU, etc.) for affordable travel.
Future Plans:
Railways are executing a special manufacturing program for 17,000 non-AC general/sleeper coaches over the next 5 years.
Impact Analysis:
Passengers (Low and Middle-Income Families):
Impact: Increased availability of general class and non-AC coaches ensures affordable transportation options. The introduction of Amrit Bharat Express and operation of unreserved trains enhance travel experience.
Action Required: Utilize the increased availability of general class travel options.
Indian Railways:
Impact: Reinforces commitment to providing affordable transportation. Focus on manufacturing non-AC coaches and operating special trains.
Action Required: Continue manufacturing non-AC coaches as planned, maintain and expand unreserved train services, and monitor passenger demand.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the Indian Railways.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was addressed.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology who provided the answer to the question.
Indian Railways: The state-owned railway company of India.
Amrit Bharat Express: A fully non-AC modern train developed by Indian Railways.
MEMU: Mainline Electric Multiple Unit trains operated by Indian Railways for short to medium distance travel.
EMU: Electric Multiple Unit trains operated by Indian Railways for short to medium distance travel.
2020-21: Financial year for Indian Railways, used as comparison point.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 50
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
REDUCTION OF UNRESERVED COACHES IN TRAINS
*50. MS. S JOTHIMANI:
SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the number of unreserved coaches reduced in various trains across
different railway zones during the last two years, zone-wise along with
the reasons for such reduction;
(b) the details of the number of passengers who travelled in unreserved
coaches during the last five financial years ending 31st March 2025;
(c) the number of unreserved passengers got affected due to such
reduction and the alternative arrangements, if any, made to
accommodate them;
(d) whether the Government has conducted any study on the demand for
unreserved travel; and
(e) 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 (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 50 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
(a) to (e) No Sir, Railways have significantly increased the facilities for
passengers demanding general class travel. During the last financial
year 2024-25 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 sleeper) ~57,200 ~70%
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
--2/--2-
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:
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.
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-automatic 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
--3/--3-
non-AC passenger trains/ MEMU / EMU etc. for affordable travel, which
are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in
Mail/Express services.
Development 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.
Therefore, it is not correct to say that railways have reduced the number
of general coaches.
*****