Indian Railways To Run 300+ Special Trains For Jagannath Rath Yatra, 100 More For Onam
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Indian Railways will operate over 300 special trains for the Jagannath Rath Yatra and 100+ for Onam, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced.
Jagannath Rath Yatra
Ahead of two of India’s biggest festive travel seasons, the Ministry of Railways has announced a major boost to rail connectivity. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that Indian Railways will operate more than 300 special trains for the Jagannath Rath Yatra in Odisha and over 100 special trains during Kerala’s Onam celebrations, aiming to accommodate the surge in passenger demand.
The announcement was made during a virtual event from Rail Sadan in Bhubaneswar, where the minister also inaugurated and flagged off several new and extended train services across the country.
Special Trains for Festival Rush
Highlighting the Railways’ preparations for the festive season, Vaishnaw said the additional services are part of a broader effort to make travel more accessible and convenient for pilgrims and holiday travellers.
He noted that Indian Railways had already operated a record 15,000 special trains during the summer travel season, which ended on June 30. Building on that effort, over 300 special trains will now be deployed for the Jagannath Rath Yatra, while more than 100 trains will cater to passengers travelling during Onam in Kerala.
According to the minister, the initiative reflects the government’s focus on providing affordable, safe and efficient rail services during peak travel periods.
New Train Services to Improve Connectivity
During the event, Vaishnaw flagged off the Nanded-Mumbai Express and the Tanakpur-Nanded Express via video conferencing. He also inaugurated the extension of the Tanakpur-Pilibhit train service to Shahjahanpur, expanding rail access for passengers in the region.
The newly launched Tanakpur-Nanded service is expected to particularly benefit the Sikh community living in the Terai regions of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand by improving connectivity to Hazur Sahib Nanded, one of Sikhism’s five Takhts.
Responding to public demand, the Railway Minister also said officials would examine the possibility of adding stoppages at Khatima and Banbasa, adding that a decision would be taken after a detailed review.
Boost for Maharashtra’s Interior Regions
Vaishnaw said the newly introduced Nanded-Mumbai Express would improve rail connectivity for passengers from Washim, Hingoli and Basmat, providing better travel options for residents of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
He also announced that the Tanakpur-Agra service, which had previously operated as a special train, has now been converted into a regular service.
Railways Highlights 12 Years of Infrastructure Growth
Speaking about the transformation of Indian Railways over the past decade, the minister said the network has witnessed unprecedented expansion under the current government.
According to Vaishnaw, approximately 37,000 kilometres of new railway tracks have been laid over the past 12 years, while railway electrification has now reached 99.6 per cent, bringing the national network close to complete electrification.
He described the expansion as one of the most significant infrastructure achievements in the history of Indian Railways, saying the investments have strengthened connectivity while modernising one of the world’s largest rail networks.
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