Indian Railways is accelerating its transformation into a modern inclusive transport system with a sharp focus on the needs of common passengers, combining affordability with improved comfort safety and reliability. Through record coach production large scale special train operations better station infrastructure fair ticketing practices and expansion of non AC premium services such as Amrit Bharat Express, the national transporter is strengthening its commitment to passenger first rail travel.
Over the past year Indian Railways has intensified investments and operational reforms to ensure that everyday travellers benefit from modern amenities without higher fares. The strategy centres on increasing non AC capacity improving crowd management strengthening ticketing integrity and deploying technology to enhance safety and service quality across the network.
Record Production Of Modern General And Non AC Coaches
Indian Railways has achieved record production of General and non AC coaches fitted with modern passenger friendly facilities to meet rising demand for affordable travel. These coaches significantly enhance carrying capacity while improving basic comfort and safety standards, reinforcing the focus on inclusive rail services.
For the ongoing financial year 2025–26, which is in its final quarter, Indian Railways has planned the production of 4,838 new LHB General and Non AC coaches comprising 2,817 LS coaches and 2,021 LSCN coaches. The expansion continues into 2026–27 with a target of 4,802 LHB coaches including 2,638 LS coaches and 2,164 LSCN coaches. This sustained production programme is designed to modernise the passenger fleet while ensuring affordable capacity keeps pace with growing travel demand.
Large Scale Special Train Operations To Manage Peak Rush
To ensure smooth passenger movement during festivals and seasonal peaks Indian Railways operated an unprecedented number of special train services in 2025. More than 43,000 special train trips were run, including 17,340 for Maha Kumbh, 1,144 for Holi, 12,417 Summer Specials and 12,383 for Chhath Puja. These large scale operations helped ease congestion ensured timely connectivity and improved travel convenience during periods of exceptionally high demand.
Passenger Holding Areas To Improve Station Experience
Indian Railways has identified 76 stations for the development of dedicated passenger holding areas following the successful model of the Yatri Suvidha Kendra at New Delhi Railway Station. The New Delhi facility completed within four months can accommodate around 7,000 passengers and offers toilets ticketing facilities automatic ticket vending machines and free RO drinking water.
Similar holding areas are being developed using modular designs tailored to local conditions and are targeted for completion ahead of the 2026 festival season. These facilities are expected to significantly improve crowd management and pre boarding comfort at busy stations.
Fair Ticketing Through Aadhaar Verification And Action Against Misuse
To protect the interests of genuine passengers Indian Railways has strengthened ticketing integrity through Aadhaar verification and advanced technological monitoring. Only Aadhaar verified users are now permitted to book Tatkal tickets. As part of this effort 5.73 crore suspicious and inactive IRCTC user accounts have been deactivated or temporarily suspended, with further action underway to prevent misuse of the e ticketing system.
Major Safety Investments And Declining Accidents
Passenger safety remains a core priority with 84 percent of funds allocated for safety related works already utilised under the Gross Budgetary Support for 2025–26. Consequential train accidents have reduced sharply from 135 in 2014–15 to 31 in 2024–25 and further to 11 in 2025–26 up to November 2025, compared with an average of 171 per year during 2004–14.
The safety budget has nearly tripled to ₹1,16,470 crore in the current financial year. Fog safety devices have increased from 90 in 2014 to 25,939 in 2025, enhancing operational safety in low visibility conditions.
Expansion Of Amrit Bharat And Namo Bharat Services
Amrit Bharat Express trains fully non AC services with Sleeper and General Class coaches have emerged as a cornerstone of affordable long distance travel. During 2025, 13 new Amrit Bharat services were introduced taking the total operational count to 30. These trains offer high quality non AC travel at transparent affordable fares without dynamic pricing.
In addition two Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are operational between Bhuj and Ahmedabad and between Jaynagar and Patna, strengthening high frequency regional connectivity.
List Of Operational Amrit Bharat Express Trains
15133 15134 Chhapra Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
15293 15294 Muzaffarpur Charlapalli Amrit Bharat Express
19021 19022 Udhna Brahmapur Amrit Bharat Express
19623 19624 Madar Junction Ajmer Darbhanga Amrit Bharat Express
14628 14627 Chheharta Amritsar Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
16601 16602 Erode Junction Jogbani Amrit Bharat Express
13697 13698 Gaya Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
14048 14047 Delhi Sitamarhi Amrit Bharat Express
22361 22362 Rajendra Nagar New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express
15567 15568 Bapudham Motihari Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
15561 15562 Darbhanga Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
13435 13436 Malda Town Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
11015 11016 Lokmanya Tilak Saharsa Amrit Bharat Express
13434 13433 Malda Town SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
15557 15558 Darbhanga Junction Anand Vihar Amrit Bharat Express
Nine New Amrit Bharat Trains To Expand National Connectivity
Indian Railways is set to introduce nine additional Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Assam and West Bengal to destinations across northern southern western and central India. These services will enhance long distance affordable connectivity passing through high passenger volume states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and extending to Tamil Nadu Maharashtra and Karnataka.
New Amrit Bharat Express Routes
Guwahati Kamakhya Rohtak Amrit Bharat Express
Dibrugarh Lucknow Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express
New Jalpaiguri Nagercoil Amrit Bharat Express
New Jalpaiguri Tiruchirappalli Amrit Bharat Express
Alipurduar SMVT Bengaluru Amrit Bharat Express
Alipurduar Mumbai Panvel Amrit Bharat Express
Kolkata Santragachi Tambaram Amrit Bharat Express
Kolkata Howrah Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express
Kolkata Sealdah Banaras Amrit Bharat Express
These routes will create seamless east west and north south corridors linking migrant workforce regions with major education industrial and commercial hubs. Direct connectivity from North Bengal to the southern tip of India and from the northeastern Dooars region to Bengaluru and Mumbai is expected to significantly improve access to employment education healthcare and markets.
Passengers on Amrit Bharat trains benefit from modern amenities including foldable snack tables mobile and bottle holders radium floor strips comfortable seating and berths modern toilets with electro pneumatic flushing fire suppression systems charging points pantry cars and facilities for divyangjan passengers.
Through sustained focus on affordability safety and passenger comfort Indian Railways is redefining non AC travel for everyday users. The expansion of Amrit Bharat Express services along with infrastructure upgrades and operational reforms signals a decisive shift towards a modern reliable and inclusive railway system built around the needs of the common passenger.
