Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Indian Railways is preparing to provide relief to passengers travelling home for Diwali and Chhath Puja by adding extra coaches to several long-distance trains. The move comes amid a sharp rise in passenger demand and long waiting lists during the festive season.
Under the plan, trains currently operating with 18 coaches will be provided with two to four additional coaches, increasing their passenger-carrying capacity. The initiative is expected to benefit passengers travelling to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who are facing difficulties securing confirmed tickets.
According to railway officials, several trains operating from northern India towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are already running almost full. Waiting lists on some trains have reportedly reached 300 to 400 passengers, while general compartments are also witnessing heavy rush.
The Ambala Division has identified several trains originating from or passing through Chandigarh, Ambala and Kalka for the proposed addition of coaches. These include the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express, Chandigarh-Patliputra Express, Ambala-Barauni Express, Amritsar-Jaynagar Shaheed Express, Kalka-Howrah Mail and Chandigarh-Gorakhpur Express.
Railway officials said that the addition of one sleeper coach can provide confirmed berths to approximately 80 passengers. With three additional coaches, around 240 more passengers could be accommodated, helping reduce waiting lists and ease congestion.
The Railways is also targeting an increase in the coach composition of trains, with up to 22 coaches in LHB-equipped trains and up to 24 coaches in ICF-equipped trains. However, the final number of coaches will depend on the train's configuration and available operational capacity.
Officials said passenger traffic during major festivals can rise nearly three times compared to normal days. To meet the increased demand and provide better travel facilities, a list of trains proposed for additional coaches has been prepared and forwarded to the railway headquarters for approval.
