Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has declared that the Indian Railways will operate more than 300 special trains for the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha and over 100 special trains for the Onam festival in Keralam. This announcement was made during a video conference from Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar on July 6.

During the event, Vaishnaw highlighted the efforts made to ensure that citizens receive affordable and safe train services. In addition to announcing the special trains for these major festivals, he flagged off the Nanded-Mumbai and Tanakpur-Nanded Express trains and inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service to Shahjahanpur.

Details of Special Train Operations

The Railway Minister noted that a record total of 15,000 special trains were operated during the recently concluded summer season. For the upcoming Jagannath Rath Yatra, more than 300 special trains will facilitate travel to Puri. Furthermore, more than 100 special trains are being scheduled for the Onam festivities in Keralam, underscoring the Railways’ commitment to enhancing passenger convenience during peak travel periods.

Vaishnaw remarked on the positive impact of these services, stating that they aim to improve connectivity to important pilgrimage destinations and provide a seamless travel experience for passengers. This initiative reflects the Central Government’s focus on enhancing rail travel in the country.

The announcements came alongside additional plans to review the potential for additional train stoppages at Khatima and Banbasa in response to community demands. Vaishnaw indicated that these requests would be considered in the coming days, which may further enhance service for local passengers.

Enhancements to Connectivity and Infrastructure

Vaishnaw expressed that the newly inaugurated services would significantly improve rail connectivity, particularly benefiting the Sikh community residing in the Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. He noted the longstanding demand for a train link between Tanakpur and Nanded Sahib, which would cater to the spiritual needs of Sikh passengers wishing to visit the ‘Panj Takht.’

In terms of regional development, the Nanded-Mumbai Express is expected to enhance connectivity in the Washim, Hingoli, and Basmat regions, bringing improved access for passengers from Vidarbha and Marathwada. The extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit service to Shahjahanpur and the regularisation of the Tanakpur-Agra service are additional measures to meet passenger needs.

Highlighting the achievements of the Railways over the last twelve years, Vaishnaw stated that approximately 37,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been constructed. He mentioned that railway electrification has reached an impressive 99.6 per cent, reflecting a significant transformation in India’s railway infrastructure.

Vaishnaw also acknowledged Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s emphasis on railway development, stating that such comprehensive advancements have never been seen in India’s history before. The focus on both infrastructural growth and operational improvements is seen as vital for meeting the increasing demands of rail travel in the country.

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