Parliament Question: Restoration of Train Services

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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