Lok Sabha Question No. 2837 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Re-naming of Garib Rath Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2837 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

## RE-NAMING OF GARIB RATH EXPRESS

## 2837. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

## Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  is aware  of the increasing public sentiment/appeals to change the name of the Garib Rath Express due to concerns regarding the dignity and self-respect of passengers, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government acknowledges that the term Garib Rath once  symbolic  of  affordable  AC  travel  now  risks  being  perceived  as patronising  and  inconsistent  with  the  aspirations  of  the  emerging middle  class  especially  the  hardworking  population  of  Amritsar  who frequently use this service, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  rename  the  train  in  a  way  that better reflects values of empowerment, Inclusion and national pride, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  will  conduct  public  and  stakeholder consultations  before  finalising  any  such  renaming,  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (d)  Bharatiya  Rail  is  focussed  on  providing  affordable,  good quality services to all sections of society. While no requests have been received to rename  Garib Rath trains, Railways has developed following trains:

## 1. Vande Bharat service:

Indian  Railways  have  introduced  Vande  Bharat  services  which  are travel experience and improved safety to the passengers. These services are features  and  modern  passenger semi-high speed trains and are  aimed to provide better equipped with enhanced  safety amenities like-

- I. KAVACH system
- II. Faster acceleration
3. III.
4. Fully Sealed Gangway
5. IV.
6. Automatic Plug Doors
- V. Better Ride Comfort
8. VI.
9. Mini Pantry with provision of Hot Case
- VII. Bottle Cooler
- VIII. Deep freezer & Hot water Boiler
- IX. Reclining Ergonomic Seats
- X. Comfortable Seating with revolving seats in executive class
14. XI.
15. Mobile charging sockets for every seat
- XII. Special lavatory for Divyangjan passengers in Driving Trailer Car(DTC),
- XIII. CCTVs, etc.

Presently,  144 Vande  Bharat  train  services  are  operational  on  the Broad Gauge (B.G.) electrified network of Indian Railways.

2. Amrit Bharat service:

To provide affordable means of transportation to the low and middle income families, Indian Railways have introduced Amrit Bharat services that are fully non-AC modern trains.  Already 14 services are in  operation. The present composition of Amrit Bharat consists of 11 General Class coaches, 8 Sleeper Class coaches, 01 Pantry car and 02 Luggage cum Divyangjan coaches.

High Speed and enhanced Safety standards are the hallmarks of these trains with following enhanced features and amenities:

- i.   Better aesthetics of seat and berths with enhanced look & feel on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper.
- ii.   Jerk Free Semi-Automatic Couplers.
- iii.    Improved Crashworthiness in coaches by provision of crash tube.
- iv.    Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and Luggage room.
- v.    Improved designs of toilets.
- vi.   Improved design of Ladder for ease of climbing on to the berth.
- vii.  Improved LED Light fitting & Charging Sockets.
- viii. Provision of EP assisted braking system.
- ix.     Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles.
- x.     USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
- xi.     Emergency Talk Back system for two-way communication
12. between Passenger and Guard/Train Manager.
- xii.  Non-AC pantry with enhanced heating capacity.
- xiii. Fully sealed gangways with quick release mechanism for easy
15. attachment and detachment.
3. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail service

Indian  Railways  have  introduced  Namo  Bharat  Rapid  Rail  services.

These  services  are  aimed  to  enhance  the  travel  experience  to  the suburban and regional commuters for short distance travel. At present, the following 4 Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services are in operation: (i) 94801/02 Ahmedabad-Bhuj Namo Bharat Rapid Rail (ii) 94803/04 Jaynagar-Patna Namo Bharat Rapid Rail The prominent features of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail  include(i)  Centrally controlled Double Leaf Automatic Sliding Doors (ii) CCTVs for safety and passenger surveillance (iii) Mobile charging sockets, Fire Detection System (iv) Continuous LED lighting with Energy Efficient Lighting system (v) Emergency Talk System (vi)  Modular  interior  with  Cushioned  Seats  and  Sealed  Flexible Gangway (vii) FRP Modular Toilets with vacuum evacuation and (viii) Fully Air-Conditioned trains with Driver cab AC.

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