Indian Railways rolls out 18,262 summer special train trips to ease rush, boost connectivity

Indian Railways will operate 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel season to manage the surge in passenger traffic and ensure smoother connectivity across high-demand routes, the Ministry of Railways said on Friday.

The plan was reviewed in New Delhi by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, as part of a broader push to streamline operations during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

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“Hon'ble MR AshwiniVaishnaw reviews the operation of Summer Special Trains in New Delhi, as Indian Railways plans 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel period to ease passenger movement and strengthen connectivity across high-demand routes,” the Ministry of Railways said in a post on X.

The summer travel window—from April 15 to July 15, 2026—typically sees a sharp rise in passenger volumes, particularly with people travelling back to their hometowns. To address this, the Railways has adopted a large-scale, calibrated deployment strategy backed by improved rake availability, optimised scheduling and continuous monitoring.

So far, 11,878 special train trips have already been notified, with the remaining services being rolled out in phases.

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Authorities said focused efforts are being made to ensure smooth passenger movement at major stations, including New Delhi, Mumbai (covering LTT, CSMT and Pune), Surat (including Udhna), Ahmedabad and Bengaluru. Measures such as real-time crowd management, enhanced on-ground support and tighter operational coordination are being deployed to reduce congestion and improve the travel experience.

At the zonal level, Western Railway has implemented proactive crowd-control measures at Udhna station, where coordinated efforts between staff and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) have helped streamline boarding processes.

In one instance, RPF personnel assisted passengers boarding Train No. 19045 Udhna–Thave Tapti Ganga Express, ensuring orderly movement and systematic seating to prevent overcrowding.

Special emphasis has also been placed on facilitating passengers travelling to their hometowns, with improved station arrangements designed to enable smoother and safer boarding.

The Railways said the initiative underscores its commitment to maintaining seamless passenger mobility during peak periods through proactive planning and responsive operations, aimed at delivering safe, convenient and hassle-free journeys.