**Executive Summary**
This document provides the response from the Minister of Railways to Unstarred Question No. 467 in Lok Sabha, addressed by Dr. Byreddy Shabari, regarding the restoration of train services canceled or suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. The response details the actions taken by Indian Railways (IR) since March 2020, including the operation of special trains and rationalization of timetables. The answer was due on 03.12.2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **COVID-19 Impact:**
* Indian Railways discontinued the operation of all regular passenger-carrying trains from March 23, 2020, operating only special train services.
* **Rationalization and Optimization:**
* Indian Railways undertook rationalization of timetables with assistance from IIT-Bombay, including rationalizing train services.
* The goals were to improve passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, speed up train services, and enhance punctuality.
* Express train services have been operating as per the rationalized timetable and regular numbers since November 2021.
* **Current Operations:**
* Indian Railways operates 11,740 train services daily (including 2,238 long-distance Mail/Express) on average, compared to 11,283 services (including 1,768 long-distance Mail/Express) before COVID-19.
* Special train services are operated during festivals and holidays.
* **Raichur-Kakinada Sector:**
* Indian Railways operated 07245/46 Kakinada-Raichur Special train (Bi-weekly service via Nandyal) during January-March 2020.
* Currently, 07033/34 Mysuru-Kakinada Town special (via Raichur) is catering to the needs of the Raichur-Kakinada sector.
* **Introduction of New Train Services:**
* Introduction of new train services depends on factors such as the capacity of that section, availability of path, availability of required rolling stock, availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock, and maintenance requirements.
* Nandyal is connected to Samalkot by 03 pairs of regular services, including the daily service of 18463/64 Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express.
* **Requests for Restoration:**
* Proposals for the introduction/restoration of trains are received from various sources, including Members of Parliament and rail users.
* A centralized compendium of requests is not maintained. However, the proposals are examined, and action is taken as found feasible and justified.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Passengers
* **Impact:** Affected by changes in train services, availability, and timetables, especially those traveling in Andhra Pradesh and reliant on specific routes such as Raichur-Kakinada.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about train service changes, including the availability of special trains, rationalized timetables, and the status of restoration efforts.
**Stakeholder:** Indian Railways (IR)
* **Impact:** Tasked with rationalizing train services, optimizing timetables, and addressing requests for the restoration of canceled or suspended trains.
* **Action Required:** Continue to assess the feasibility of restoring train services, consider factors such as capacity, infrastructure, and maintenance, and respond to proposals from stakeholders.
**Stakeholder:** Government
* **Impact:** Responsible for addressing public concerns regarding train service disruptions and ensuring connectivity, especially in backward or high-mobility regions.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the progress of train service restoration, address public representations, and support Indian Railways in optimizing its operations.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Railways (IR): The primary entity responsible for operating and managing the train services discussed in the document.
Ministry of Railways: The government body overseeing the Indian Railways, responsible for answering parliamentary questions related to train services.
COVID-19 pandemic: The major event that caused the cancellation or suspension of train services.
Railway Board: An organization that receives proposals for introduction/restoration of trains.
Andhra Pradesh: The state for which details of cancelled and suspended trains were requested.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 467
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025
RESTORATION OF TRAIN SERVICES
467. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of train services passing through Andhra Pradesh that
were cancelled or suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(b) the details of trains among them that are yet to be restored to
regular operation as of July 2025;
(c) whether the Government has received public/official
representations for the restoration of specific services such as the
Raichur–Kakinada Express and if so, the details thereof and the
reasons for delay in their reinstatement; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to review all non-restored
services in a time-bound manner especially those affecting
connectivity in backward or high-mobility regions and if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic,
Indian Railways (IR) had discontinued the operation of all regular
passenger carrying trains with effect from 23rd March 2020 and only
special train services were being operated.
Indian Railways also undertook rationalization of time table, including
rationalisation of train services, in a scientific manner with the
assistance of IIT-Bombay. The exercise has been undertaken inter
alia to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance
corridor blocks, speeding up of train services and to improve
punctuality. Since November-2021, Express train services are being
operated as per rationalized time table and regular numbers.
As the railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains are
introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.Presently, on an average Indian Railways operate 11,740 train
services daily (including 2,238 long distance Mail/Express) as against
11,283 services including 1,768 long distance Mail/Express) operating
prior to Covid-19.
Indian Railways(IR), operates Special train services during festivals,
holidays, etc. to cater to the extra needs of passengers and to
supplement the accommodation available by regular trains.
Accordingly, to cater to the needs of Raichur and Kakinada sector, IR
operated 07245/46 Kakinada-Raichur Special train (Bi-weekly service
via Nandyal) during January-March, 2020. Presently, 07033/34 Mysuru-
Kakinada Town special (via Raichur) is catering to the needs of
Raichur-Kakinada sector.
Introduction of new train services on any route/section depends on various
factors which include-
Capacity of that section
Availability of path
Availability of required rolling stock
Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets
Accordingly, Nandyal is connected to Samalkot (13 km from
Kakinada) by 03 pairs of regular services, including the daily service
of 18463/64 Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express. Further, one
pair of special train is also catering to the said sector.
Further, proposals/requests/suggestions/representations, both formal
and informal inter alia for introduction/restoration of trains are
received from Members of Parliament, elected representatives,
organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including Railway Board,
Zonal Railways, Divisional Office etc. As receipt of such
proposals/requests/suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process,
centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However,
these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken
from time to time, which is an on-going process.
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