Lok Sabha Question No. 650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: Regular delays for Panchavati and Rajya Rani Express Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajabhau Parag Prakash Waje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 650 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

REGULAR DELAYS FOR PANCHAVATI AND RAJYA RANI EXPRESS TRAINS 650. SHRI RAJABHAU PARAG PRAKASH WAJE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken cognisance of regular delays in both the  directions  for  Panchavati  (12109/12110)  and  Rajya  Rani  (17611/17612) Express  trains  while  travelling  between  Mumbai  CSMT  and  Nashik  Road stations;
- (b) if so, the reasons for the same and the details of the steps taken by the Government to prevent such delays in future;
- (c) whether the Government has taken cognisance about lack of cleanliness,  hygiene  and  even  water  availability  at  times  in  the  abovementioned trains;
- (d) if so, the details of steps taken to address the problems;
- (e)  whether  the  Government  considers  increasing  number  of  coaches, particularly  unreserved  coaches  in  above  mentioned  trains  which  are  of immense importance for season ticketholders, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  whether  the  Government  considers  reducing  travel  time  of  the  abovementioned  trains  while  travelling  towards  Mumbai  so  that  the  trains  may reach  CSMT  before  9.30AM  which  will  help  daily  commuters,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (f)    Indian  Railways makes all possible efforts to run trains on time. Several  factors  affect  punctual  running  of  trains  which  include  foggy weather,  path  constraints,  asset  failures,  alarm  chain  pulling,  agitations,

cattle run over and other unforeseen circumstances. Based on assessments of factors impeding the punctual running of trains, remedial measures, both short term and long term, are initiated.  High priority is accorded to making resources available for speedy execution of critical capacity augmentation as these on completion inter-alia facilitate improved efficiency and reliability in train operations. 12109/12110  CSMT-Manmad Panchavati Express and 17611/17612  CSMTH.S. Nanded Rajya Rani Express have maintained an overall punctuality of more  than  80%  during  the  last  three  months.  12109/12110  CSMT-Manmad Panchavati  Express    is  having  a  load  of  22  coaches  which  includes  9 General Class coaches and 2 MST Coaches for facilitating commuters  while 17611/17612    CSMT-H.S.  Nanded  Rajya  Rani  Express    has  a  load  of  17 coaches which includes 04 General Class Coaches. Besides, augmention of train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways subject to  traffic justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources. Speeding up of train services is an on-going process on Indian Railways (IR) and is dependent on various factors like Maximum Permissible speed(MPS) of  the  sections,  the  gradient  of  the  sections  enroute,  speed  potential  of rolling stock/Loco, availability of path, maintenance corridor blocks, permanent  and  temporary  speed  restrictions,    signalling  system,  etc.  To optimally  utilise  the  resources,  train  services  on  IR  are  charted    at Maximum Permissible Speed keeping in view  the speed potential of Rolling Stock. Cleanliness  is  a  continuous  process  and  Indian  Railways  make  every endeavour  to  keep  trains  in  properly  maintained  and  clean  condition. Railways  have  taken  several  measures  as  follows,  to  ensure  thorough cleanliness/water availability in coaches:-

(a) On-Board  Housekeeping  Staff  Service  is  being  provided  during  the train  journey  to  ensure  cleanliness  and  attend  any  passenger  complaint received. This ensures speedier resolution of the complaints. (b) Mechanized Coach Cleaning is being ensured during primary maintenance for better cleaning of the coach including interior, exterior and toilets. (c) Regular inspections are done during maintenance at Depots/Sheds etc. as  per  prescribed  schedule/  periodicity  for  ensuring  the  proper  upkeep  of various systems  including watering in coaches. Further, to ensure availability of adequate water in coaches throughout the journey, watering is done at en-route stations at defined intervals. (d) All passenger coaches have been installed with bio-toilets so that no human waste is discharged from coaches on the track resulting in improved cleanliness level. (e) Rail Madad portal has been developed for passengers' use to seek help online  and  raise  complaints,  if  required  and  provide  feedback  on  their satisfaction  with  the  resolution.  Passengers'  feedback  for  both  the  trains are being regularly monitored.

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