New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways in India has unveiled an ambitious plan to completely eliminate waiting lists within the next 4-5 years, backed by a substantial investment of Rs 1 lakh crore. This initiative aims to acquire 7,000-8,000 new train sets over the next 15 years, addressing the escalating demand, particularly in the general and sleeper-class coaches.
Analysis of data from April to October 2023 indicates a noteworthy shift in passenger distribution, with non-AC coaches, including General and Sleeper classes, accounting for a staggering 95.3% of the total passengers carried. This represents a substantial increase of 38 crore passengers compared to the previous year, underscoring a clear trend towards more budget-friendly travel options. In contrast, AC coaches accommodated 4.7% of the total passengers, marking a significant increase of 3.1 crore passengers compared to the previous year.
To meet this surge in demand, Indian Railways has taken a proactive approach by significantly expanding its services. In comparison to pre-COVID days, an additional 562 trains are now operational on a daily basis across the Indian Railways network. This expansion includes an increase in mail/express trains from 1,768 to 2,122, suburban trains from 5,626 to 5,774, and passenger trains from 2,792 to 2,852, resulting in a total of 10,748 trains running each day.
The Ministry’s strategic approach not only addresses the current spike in demand but also lays the foundation for a future where waiting lists become obsolete.
