In a swift response to a sudden surge in rail bookings, the Western Railway zone has decided to augment key long-distance trains with additional coaches. This move comes as a direct consequence of widespread flight cancellations by budget carrier IndiGo, which have pushed a significant number of air travellers towards the Indian Railways network.
Railways Step In to Clear the Rush
The action was initiated following directives from the Railway Board to all zones, asking them to add extra accommodation to manage the rush. An internal communication issued on Friday, December 5, specifically cited the need to "clear the rush of wait-listed passengers due to mass cancellation of IndiGo flights." The primary focus is on premium trains connecting major economic hubs.
To begin with, the Western Railway will attach an additional AC II Tier coach to the Mumbai-Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani Express (train numbers 12951 and 12952). The service originating from Mumbai Central will run with the extra coach from December 6 to December 10. Conversely, the Rajdhani departing from Delhi towards Mumbai will have the augmented capacity from December 7 to December 11.
Ahmedabad-Delhi Route Also Gets a Boost
The capacity enhancement is not limited to the Mumbai route. The Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express, which runs between Sabarmati (Ahmedabad) and New Delhi, will also operate with an extra AC II Tier coach. For the Ahmedabad to Delhi direction, the additional coach will be available from December 6 to 10. For the return journey from Delhi to Ahmedabad, the arrangement is valid from December 7 to 11.
A senior Western Railway official confirmed the developments, stating that the decision was made considering the air travellers turning to railways. The official also indicated that apart from adding coaches to existing trains, some special trains are also being planned, with separate notifications expected soon.
Spike in Demand on Key Business Corridor
The Western Railway's Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor, known as its busiest business route, has witnessed a sharp spike in demand this week. This surge was triggered after IndiGo's cancellations severely disrupted air travel to Mumbai from major Gujarat cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad. The railways' flexible approach to augmenting capacity highlights its role as a critical fallback option for the nation's transport needs during disruptions in other sectors.
This incident underscores the interconnected nature of India's transport ecosystem, where a significant operational issue in aviation can have immediate ripple effects on rail traffic, prompting rapid logistical adjustments.
