Railways to run 18,262 summer special trains:Move aims to ease passenger movement on high-traffic routes; check dates other details

The Ministry of Railways has said that Indian Railways will operate 18,262 special train trips between April 15 and July 15, 2026, to manage the annual surge in summer travel demand and ease passenger movement on high-traffic routes. So far, 11,878 special train trips have been notified, while the remaining services are being announced in phases for passengers’ convenience. “During the peak summer travel period (April 15–July 15, 2026), the Railways is planning to operate 18,262 summer special train trips to enhance connectivity and ease congestion,” the ministry said in a statement. It added, “Till date, 11,878 train trips have been notified, and the remaining services are also being announced for the benefit of passengers. This large-scale deployment reflects a calibrated approach supported by improved rake availability, optimised scheduling, and continuous monitoring.” Focus on major routes and metro connectivity The Railways said the special services are aimed at strengthening connectivity between major metro cities and key hinterland destinations. The routes include New Delhi, Mumbai, including Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and Pune, as well as Surat, including Udhna, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru. Special attention is being given to passengers travelling to their hometowns during the summer rush, with enhanced boarding arrangements and station management measures put in place. Railway minister reviews summer operations Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the operation of summer special trains in New Delhi, the ministry said. In a post on X, the Ministry of Railways said, “Hon’ble MR Ashwini Vaishnaw reviews the operation of Summer Special Trains in New Delhi, as Indian Railways plans 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel period to ease passenger movement and strengthen connectivity across high-demand routes.” The ministry said the large-scale deployment is helping improve passenger flow and travel convenience across busy rail corridors. Real-time crowd management introduced at Udhna To improve on-ground arrangements, Indian Railways has introduced a real-time crowd management system at Udhna station under Western Railway. Officials said the move is aimed at ensuring smoother boarding, better crowd control, and a safer travel experience for passengers. As part of the initiative, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel assisted passengers boarding Train No. 19045 Udhna–Thave Tapti Ganga Express, ensuring orderly boarding and systematic seating arrangements. The ministry said such zonal-level measures are supporting the broader national effort to deliver safe, convenient, and hassle-free travel during the peak summer season. Commitment to smooth summer travel Indian Railways said it remains committed to ensuring seamless passenger mobility during peak travel periods through proactive planning and responsive operations. “These efforts highlight the effectiveness of targeted interventions in improving service delivery and ensuring smooth, safe, and hassle-free journeys during the summer rush,” the ministry said.