Railways Announces 89 Special Trains Following IndiGo Flight Cancellations

In response to the widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, Indian Railways has announced the operation of 89 special train services to ease travel disruptions for stranded passengers. This initiative, effective immediately and spanning the next three days, aims to provide alternative travel options and ensure connectivity amidst rising demand.

The Railway Ministry stated that these special trains will make over 100 trips across various zones. The decision to launch these trains was made swiftly after assessing passenger traffic in key hubs, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, and Howrah. Railway officials have also indicated that the number of special services may increase based on demand.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information & Publicity), Railway Board, emphasized that all zones have been instructed to utilize every available resource, rolling stock, and manpower to safely operate these trains for the convenience of passengers affected by the cancellations. Railway divisions have also started circulating information at airports to assist stranded travelers.

Several railway zones have announced specific special trains. The South Central Railway has scheduled four special trains to manage the increased passenger rush. The Central Railway and Northern Railway have planned 14 and 10 special services, respectively, with the possibility of further expansion. The South Eastern Railway has coordinated with the Airport Authority to publicize the special services, including trains like the Santragachi–Yelahanka–Santragachi, Howrah–CSMT–Howrah Special, and Cherlapalli–Shalimar–Cherlapalli.

The Western Railway will operate seven special trains with special fares on routes such as Mumbai Central–New Delhi, Mumbai Central–Bhiwani, Mumbai Central–Shakur Basti, Bandra Terminus–Durgapura, Valsad–Bilaspur, Sabarmati–Delhi, and Sabarmati–Delhi Sarai Rohilla. Additionally, the North Western Railway will run special fare trains, including the Hisar–Khadki Special and Durgapura–Bandra Terminus Special.

Specific examples of these special train services include: * Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai) to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) Special * Pune to Bangalore Special * Nagpur to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai) Special * Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Madgaon Special * Lokmanya Tilak Terminus to Hyderabad Special * Pune to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) Special

The Railways’ initiative follows several days of significant disruptions to IndiGo flight operations, with numerous cancellations and delays causing hardship to thousands of passengers. This move aims to mitigate the impact of these disruptions by providing a reliable alternative for those affected.

The Ministry of Railways has stated that this measure will support smooth travel and ensure adequate connectivity amid rising demand for rail travel during the winter season. Passengers are advised to check the Indian Railways website or contact railway authorities for detailed information on train schedules, routes, and booking procedures.