Results for: Indian Railways

The Vande Bharat Express, India’s latest high-speed train, has garnered mixed reviews from passengers. While some have praised its speed and amenities, others have criticized its inadequate window shields and average food quality. A recent Twitter thread by a Kolkata-based traveler (@epicnephrin_e) sparked a discussion about the train’s shortcomings. She complained about having to shield her face throughout the trip due to the lack of proper window shades and the mediocre quality of food, though she did appreciate the automatic doors, immaculate washrooms, and braille translations. Her tweet went viral, attracting over 1.3 million views and 335 comments, with netizens sharing their own negative experiences. Issues raised included narrow luggage shelves, pathetic food, malfunctioning AC, and uncomfortable middle seats.

Indian Railways faces the challenge of providing affordable travel for millions of people while also ensuring profitability. The shift towards premium services, such as AC coaches, has created overcrowding in lower classes and raised concerns about the affordability of train travel for the masses. The National Rail Plan 2030 projects a higher growth rate for AC passengers, leading to concerns about the future of non-AC coaches. The railways are grappling with the dilemma of balancing their social obligations with the need for economic viability.

Indian Railways will be operating summer special trains to manage the anticipated surge in travel demand during the summer season. These trains will operate on key routes connecting various cities across the country, with an emphasis on destinations in Patna, Bengal, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to provide more travel options for passengers and ensure their convenience during the peak season.

The Indian Railways is yet to determine the completion date for the country’s first bullet train project due to ongoing tender awards. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL), responsible for constructing the 508 km corridor, highlighted that the completion date can only be assessed once all tenders are awarded. Initially scheduled for completion in December 2023, the project has faced delays due to land acquisition issues and COVID-19 impact.

Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in collaboration with Indian Railways, has established affordable meal and snack counters near general second class (GS) coaches to cater to the upcoming summer season. This initiative aligns with the organization’s efforts to provide improved services to passengers, particularly those traveling in unreserved coaches. Over 150 meal counters have been set up at 100 stations across India, specifically positioned near GS coaches on platforms. Southern Railway has established exclusive meal counters at 34 stations within its zone, including five in Chennai Division, three in Tiruchchirappalli Division, four in Salem Division, two in Madurai Division, nine in Palakkad Division, and 11 in Thiruvananthapuram Division.

To address the influx of passengers, Indian Railways will operate weekly special trains from Tambaram and Erode to Dhanbad. These trains are scheduled to run on specific days and will provide convenient travel options for passengers.

Indian Railways (IR) has witnessed an unprecedented surge in passenger footfall, with over 411 million passengers taking train journeys across India in the first three weeks of April. This marks the highest ever footfall recorded during this period, surpassing the previous records set in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. The unexpected rush has been attributed to a combination of factors, including the onset of the wedding season, ongoing elections, and the usual heavy rush during summer vacations.

Amid the summer rush, the Indian Railways has initiated an economy meal service at Tiruchi Junction, Thanjavur Junction, and Mayiladuthurai stations in Tiruchi Division. Passengers traveling in unreserved coaches can now purchase an affordable meal priced at ₹20. The meal includes 200 grams of lemon rice, tamarind rice, curd rice, or dal khichdi with pickle. Additionally, 200 ml of water costs ₹3. The Railway Board directed all zones and IRCTC to provide affordable meals and packaged drinking water for passengers in unreserved coaches. A mobile stall is available at the three stations to sell the meals and ensure adequate supply of Rail Neer drinking water bottles.