Vinod Bhat
New Delhi, Nov 15 ; The Indian Railways (IR) has witnessed a significant surge in the number of passengers traveling in Non AC coaches, specifically in the General and Sleeper Class categories.
As per data available with Kashmir Despatch, From April to October 2023, these coaches accounted for a whopping 95.3% of the total number of passengers carried.
The data reveals that a total of 372 crore passengers traveled in Non AC coaches during this period, which is a remarkable increase of 38 crore passengers compared to the previous year. This surge in passenger numbers highlights the growing trust and reliance on the IR network among the public. Last year, the total number of passengers was recorded at 334 crore, showcasing a substantial increase in demand.
Adding to the positive trend, AC coaches have also seen a surge in passengers, with 18.2 crore passengers traveling in these coaches during April to October 2023. This represents an additional 3.1 crore passengers compared to the previous year, indicating a growing preference for a more comfortable travel experience.
In total, there has been a remarkable increase of 41.1 crore passengers across all categories.
Notably, 92.5% of this increase can be attributed to the surge in Non AC passengers (General and Sleeper Class) the data further revealed.
The massive growth in passenger numbers reflects the continued commitment of the IR in providing efficient and reliable transportation services to the public.
Pertinently, in comparison to pre-Covid days, the IR network has also witnessed a significant expansion in operations.
Currently, an additional 562 trains are being operated on a daily basis, accommodating the increased demand. This increase in train services demonstrates the efforts made by the IR to cater to the growing needs of the passengers.
The number of trains running per day on the IR network is as follows:
Trains Pre-Covid Present
M/Exp. 1,768 2,122
Sub-Urban 5,626 5,774
Passenger 2,792 2,852
Total 10,186 10,748
The increase in the number of trains showcases the IR’s commitment to meet the growing demands of commuters and provide efficient transportation services.
