The passenger traffic greatly varied from the year 2019 to 2024 due to COVID-19 pandemic. However, Indian Railways (IR), operates various types of regular time-table trains e.g. suburban, short distance passenger trains, long distance/Mail Express/ superfast trains with different composition catering to different segments of passengers.

The extant policy regarding composition of Mail/Express trains, provide 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 passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches. Of the total number of Coaches being presently utilized for running of train services, two-third are non-AC, and one-third are AC variants. Additionally, Indian Railways have also started operating Amrit Bharat services which are fully non-AC trains providing high quality services to the passengers.

Besides, IR constantly endeavors to provide additional accommodation to traveling passengers by operating Special train services during festivals, holidays, etc. During 2023, 527 Holi Specials, 6369 Summer Specials and 4480 Chhatt/Diwali Specials were operated. Further, loads of trains are also augmented, both on permanent and temporary basis, to cater to additional demand. These are on-going processes on Indian Railways. Furthermore, keeping in view increased demand, IR has planned to manufacture 10,000 non-AC Coaches including General Class and Sleeper Class Coaches.

This information was given by the Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.

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PPG/KS/SK