Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday announced that the Indian Railways will operate more than 300 special trains for the upcoming Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra, significantly boosting rail connectivity to accommodate the massive influx of devotees expected during the annual festival.
The announcement was made during an event at Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar, where the minister highlighted the Railways’ extensive preparations for one of India’s largest religious gatherings. He also revealed that over 100 special trains will be operated for the Onam festival in Kerala.
Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the Railways had already achieved a historic milestone by operating nearly 15,000 special trains during the summer travel season, which concluded on June 30, to manage the surge in passenger traffic across the country.
300+ Special Trains for Rath Yatra
Emphasising the importance of seamless travel during the world-famous Rath Yatra, the Railway Minister said more than 300 special trains will be deployed to facilitate the movement of lakhs of pilgrims travelling to Puri from different parts of Odisha and across India.
The enhanced train services are expected to reduce congestion, improve connectivity, and ensure a smoother travel experience for devotees attending the annual chariot festival of Lord Jagannath.
New Train Services Launched
During the programme, Vaishnaw virtually flagged off the Nanded-Mumbai Express and the Tanakpur-Nanded Express, besides inaugurating the extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service up to Shahjahanpur.
Addressing the gathering through video conferencing, the minister said the newly introduced services would strengthen regional rail connectivity while benefiting thousands of passengers, particularly members of the Sikh community residing in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“There was a long-standing demand for a train from Tanakpur to Nanded Sahib (Hazur Sahib). It will benefit the large Sikh community in the Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Everyone wishes to stay connected to the Panj Takht, and this railway connectivity will fulfil that sentiment,” Vaishnaw said.
He also assured that the Railways would examine demands for additional stoppages at Khatima and Banbasa.
“The demand that has come for Khatima and Banbasa will be examined fully in the next few days. If it becomes possible, we will definitely provide a stoppage for this train at Khatima and Banbasa,” he added.
Improved Connectivity Across Regions
Speaking about the newly launched Nanded-Mumbai Express, the minister said the service would significantly improve connectivity for the Washim, Hingoli, and Basmat regions while benefiting passengers travelling from Vidarbha and Marathwada.
He further announced that the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service has now been extended to Shahjahanpur, while the Tanakpur-Agra service, which was earlier operated as a special train, has now been converted into a regular service.
Railways’ Transformation Over 12 Years
Highlighting the progress made by Indian Railways over the past 12 years, Vaishnaw said nearly 37,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid across the country, describing it as an unprecedented achievement in India’s railway history.
He also noted that railway electrification has reached 99.6 per cent, bringing the national transporter close to complete electrification.
“In the past 12 years, a major transformation of the Railways has taken place under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Around 37,000 km of new railway tracks have been built, something never seen before in India’s history. Along with this, railway electrification has reached 99.6%,” he said.
Bullet Train and Freight Corridors
The Railway Minister said work on India’s ambitious Bullet Train Project is progressing rapidly, with operations expected to commence next year.
He also informed that the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors have been completed. Additionally, a new East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor connecting Dankuni in West Bengal with Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh is also planned to strengthen freight transportation across the country.
Focus on Affordable Rail Travel
Reiterating the Railways’ commitment to affordable travel, Vaishnaw said the focus remains on expanding services for low-income and middle-class passengers rather than premium offerings.
He revealed that around 12,000 general coaches are currently under production, of which nearly 4,000 coaches have already been added to train services.
“Railways remains the preferred mode of transport for poor and middle-class families. Therefore, our focus is on increasing affordable services. Manufacturing of around 12,000 general coaches is underway, and nearly 4,000 of them have already been deployed,” he said.
The announcement of over 300 special trains for the Puri Rath Yatra is expected to provide major relief to pilgrims and tourists, ensuring improved accessibility and smoother travel arrangements during one of Odisha’s most significant religious festivals.
