The Minister of Railways Shri Dinesh Trivedi at a press conference here today announced the implementation of 26 new trains, extension of 8 trains and increase in frequency of 5 trains. The 26 new trains will be flagged off within a week or so by the local public representatives from different stations. The extension of trains and increase in frequency of trains will, however, is implemented with immediate effect.

In the Railway Budget 2011-12, announcement for introduction of 132 new trains, extension of 33 trains and increase in frequency of 22 existing trains was made. Of these, 42 new trains have been introduced, 24 trains extensions and 13 increase in frequency of existing trains has been implemented.

            In order to cater to the surge of passenger traffic that is seasonal in nature, Indian Railways has followed a strategy of running trains on demand. Recognizing the need to bridge the extremely large gap between supply and demand on one hand and limitations of terminal capacity and line capacity on the railways on the other, a close watch is kept on the wait-list of passengers as well as on important social and cultural events in the region. Exercising operational innovations by way of utilizing spare maintenance capacity and ensuring optimum utilization of assets, special trains are run to the maximum extent feasible for clearance of passenger traffic. Special trains are run not only on traditional festivals and holidays but for also on region specific cultural events like Urs festival at Ajmer and the Durga Puja/Diwali & Chhat festivals.

            Between April to September 2011, Railways carried approximately 4120.8 million passengers, which is 5.47% higher than the 3907 million passengers carried during corresponding period of last year. In case of originating passenger earnings, between April-September 2011, Railways have achieved originating earnings of approximately Rs. 14017.7 crore, which is 10.47% higher than the originating earnings of Rs. 12688.8 crore during corresponding period of last year.

Keeping in view the consistent and substantial growth in passenger traffic, Indian Railways will endeavor to introduce new trains, increase frequency of train services and extend some existing trains as announced in the Railway Budget 2011-12 during the course of the financial year and will also run special trains during important festivals and peak seasons this year.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW TRAINS

EXTENSION

INCREASE IN FREQUENCY:

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