Patna: Indian Railways has announced the launch of 84 special trains across the country following widespread disruptions in Indigo Airlines’ services, which have seen continuous cancellations and delays since December 3.
The impact of the airline crisis is particularly evident in Bihar, where seats on premium trains such as the Rajdhani, Sampoorna Kranti, and Amrit Bharat to Delhi are fully booked. On Sunday, bookings for many major trains hit “regret level” — a status reached when trains are completely reserved and passengers can no longer secure tickets, reflecting a surge in demand compared with normal days.
“The increasing waiting lists are adding to passenger difficulties,” said Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity at Indian Railways. “Ensuring passenger convenience is our top priority.”
In response, the Railway Board has activated special measures, running 84 additional trains on high-demand routes to provide alternatives for passengers. These trains prioritise travel to the capital and other major cities, with the possibility of further additions if demand continues to rise.
Central Railway is running the highest number of special services, with 12 new trains. Other divisions are operating the following: Northern Railway (10), Western Railway (6), South East Central Railway (4), East Central Railway (6), Southern Railway (10), North Eastern Railway (8), South Central Railway (8), South Eastern Railway (4), Eastern Railway (4), North Western Railway (4), and 8 other special trains across various routes.
Some services began operating on Saturday, while the remaining trains are scheduled to become operational gradually by December 11. North Eastern Railway has introduced six special trains connecting Patna, Darbhanga, and Anand Vihar in Delhi, aimed at easing passenger travel amid the airline disruptions.
“The increased number of special trains will not only offer more travel options but also reduce crowding on regular trains,” Kumar added.
Passengers are advised to check availability and book tickets in advance as the Railways continues to monitor the situation and adjust services accordingly.
