Indian Railways has announced several changes to train services, including extensions, adjusted departure timings, and cancellations. South Eastern Railway, Northeast Frontier Railway, and North Central Railway have implemented these adjustments to improve passenger convenience and meet travel demands. Passengers are advised to check revised schedules for their journeys.
The South Central Railway (SCR) has announced the cancellation of 78 trains and rerouting of 36 others due to ongoing third-line construction between Kazipet and Balharshah sections. The cancellations and diversions, which will remain in effect until July 7, are attributed to preparatory and commissioning works for the third line between Asifabad and Rechni stations in the Secunderabad division.
The Indian Railways is considering reducing the speed of premium trains like Vande Bharat and Gatiman Express on certain routes from 160 kmph to 130 kmph to enhance safety. This decision comes after multiple train accidents in recent years, raising concerns about train operations. The North Central Railway has formally requested the Railway Board to implement this speed reduction, citing concerns about the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). The proposal is likely to be approved, resulting in longer travel times for affected trains.
Indian Railways is poised to issue a massive 5,000 crore tender to expedite the implementation of Kavach, an automatic train protection (ATP) system, across 10,000 km of its network. This move aims to bolster safety and prevent accidents like the one in Balasore last year. The tender, which will be split into two parts, is expected to be released in the coming months, marking a substantial expansion from the first Kavach tender in 2021. The system, which prevents accidents caused by human error, has been approved for use by additional vendors, including Japanese firm Kyosan. This initiative will accelerate the rollout of Kavach, with plans to equip the entire 70,000 km railway network within a decade.
A major fire broke out on Thursday in several coaches of a passenger train running from Patna to Jharkhand in Bihar. The blaze produced large clouds of smoke, as seen in a video shared by ANI news agency. Firefighting efforts are currently underway to extinguish the flames. Further details are still pending.
Indian Railways has implemented stringent laws and initiatives to protect and empower solo female travelers. Key provisions include prohibiting the ejection of women without tickets, providing ‘Meri Saheli’ security services, and reserving berths in women’s compartments and sleeper classes. These measures aim to ensure a safe and secure travel experience for women passengers and deter any unlawful behavior.
The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), in collaboration with Indian Railways (IR), has announced the provision of 500ml Rail Neer Packaged Drinking Water (PWD) bottles to passengers on all Vande Bharat trains. This initiative aims to reduce the wastage of drinking water on trains, particularly during the ongoing summer season and in response to increasing concerns about conserving natural resources. Every passenger on Vande Bharat trains will receive a 500ml water bottle, with the option to request an additional 500ml bottle at no extra cost.
India has introduced its first Vande Metro train, a shorter-distance version of the Vande Bharat Express, designed to transform intra-city transportation. The Vande Metro will cater to urban commuters traveling distances up to 250 km, connecting major cities across the country. The Railway Ministry plans to roll out Vande Metro trains on routes such as Chennai-Tirupati, Bhubaneswar-Balasore, Agra-Mathura, Delhi-Rewari, and Lucknow-Kanpur. These trains will feature automatic doors, spacious seating, and advanced amenities not currently available on existing metro trains.
Kolkata-based Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd. (TRSL) will introduce the prototype of the sleeper version of the indigenous Vande Bharat trains by June 2025. The company will supply 16 sleeper Vande Bharat trains over the next 12 months. TRSL and BHEL have bagged orders for 80 stainless steel Vande Bharat sleeper trains worth ₹10,000 crore. The government has set a target of having 4,500 Vande Bharat trains by 2047. The investment in expanding TRSL’s operations is focused on strengthening the production line of passenger rail systems, including the manufacturing of Vande Bharat trains and metro rail coaches. The company’s Uttarpara plant in West Bengal will manufacture a major portion of the 80 Vande Bharat trains. The electrical components for the train will be supplied by BHEL.
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.
