Source – https://www.financialexpress.com/business/railways-good-news-for-train-passengers-northern-railway-introduces-34-special-trains-to-ensure-smooth-travel-during-festivals-3277187/
Publisher – The Financial Express
The Northern Railway has rolled out a total of 34 special train services, commencing from Wednesday, to manage the increased passenger rush during the festive season as travelers head to their home destinations.
These special trains will make a combined 377 journeys, with 351 services directed towards the eastern part of the country and 26 serving the northern region. The special services are slated to operate from October 18 until December 11.
5.5 lakh extra berths added
In addition to these 34 special trains, extra coaches will be incorporated into the existing 69 trains, resulting in the generation of an impressive 5.5 lakh extra berths and seats to cater to the amplified passenger movement during the festive period. The General Manager of the Northern Railway, Shobhan Chaudhuri, elaborated on these arrangements while addressing reporters.Â
Special trains to connect key destinations
These special trains will connect key destinations throughout the country, including Delhi, Patna, Guwahati, Lucknow, Kolkata, and others.
The Northern Railway has urged prospective passengers to access details about these special trains from the railway’s social media platforms and the designated enquiry offices. These additional arrangements have been put in place to handle the surge in demand expected during this period.
Shobhan Chaudhuri expressed his belief that the additional measures will effectively manage the heightened demand, although continuous monitoring will be maintained. If the need arises for additional special trains, Chaudhuri confirmed that the railway will duly consider it. As of now, the current arrangements are deemed sufficient.
Furthermore, the railway has opted to open special ticket counters and activate all existing booking counters to minimize long queues at booking facilities. Punctuality of these special train services is a top priority for the Northern Railway, and Chaudhuri reassured passengers that the scheduled times of arrival and departure will be diligently adhered to, with minimal disruptions due to other train operations.
Safety arrangements
Shobhan Chaudhuri also addressed concerns regarding safety arrangements to prevent incidents like the tragic Amritsar train disaster of October 19, 2018, during the Dussehra festival. He confirmed the deployment of railway staff and Railway Protection Force personnel at sensitive locations to prevent accidents.
Additionally, he urged people to maintain a safe distance from railway tracks while participating in festive celebrations, emphasizing the challenges of stopping a moving train in a short distance once the brakes are applied.
