Odisha: East Coast Railway rolls out 367 special trains to handle festive rush

As the country is immersed in the festive season, Indian Railways is operating nearly 12,000 special trains to handle the surge in passenger traffic. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has joined the massive effort by operating 367 special trains to ensure smooth travel for passengers.

According to ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, 76 special trains have already been introduced, benefiting more than 78,000 passengers so far.
 
“Under the guidance of the Railway Minister, over 12,000 special trains are being operated nationwide. East Coast Railway has taken up 367 special services to meet the festive demand,” Funkwal said. 

Special trains are being operated across all zones of Indian Railways, with Northern Railway (1,919 trains), Central Railway (1,998 trains), and Western Railway (1,501 trains) running the largest numbers. Other zones, such as East Central Railway and North Western Railway, have also added 1,217 trains each to meet regional travel demands, the release stated.

To manage the increased crowd safely, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and senior officials have been deployed across major stations. More than 900 CCTV cameras are actively monitoring passenger movement to prevent any untoward incidents.

The Indian Railways has also planned to operate around 8,000 additional special trains in the coming days for major festivals such as Chhath.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently reviewed the preparedness at New Delhi Railway Station, inspecting passenger facilities and ensuring hassle-free travel during the festive period.

Also Read: Odisha seeks new ‘scenic’ alignment for Rs 492 crore Puri-Konark rail line, mulls metro-like facilities

Between October 1 and 19, the Railways operated 3,960 special trains, carrying over one crore passengers across the country. The East Coast Railway, covering parts of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, continues to play a vital role in ensuring comfortable and safe travel for festive commuters.