Lok Sabha Question No. 4525 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Intercity Train from Lucknow to  Prayagraj
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kishori Lal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4525

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.08.2025

## INTERCITY TRAIN FROM LUCKNOW TO PRAYAGRAJ

## 4525. SHRI KISHORI LAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the steps taken so far to convert Level Crossing Gate No. 104C and  109C  as  'Open  to  Road  Traffic'  gates  on  the  LucknowSultanpur railway route and the decision approved  by the Railways;
- (b) whether  the  Railways  has  any  proposal  for  the  operation  of  an intercity train from Lucknow to Prayagraj (via Raebareli, Gauriganj, Amethi and Pratapgarh);
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether  the  Railways  has  any  proposal  to  add  new  general coaches  to  trains  running  on  the  above  said  routes  for  the convenience of general passengers;
- (e) if  so,  the  details  of  trains  that  are  going  to  add  new  general coaches; and
- (f) the  details  of  steps  taken/being  taken  to  enhance  the  facilities and security of passengers travelling with general sleeper reservations?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f) : Level Crossing Gate No. 104C and 109C exist on LucknowSultanpur-Zafrabad  section.    The  normal  position  of  the  gate  is

decided on the basis of classification of the LC, status of interlocking, location, total Nos. of gates connected with station and visibility etc. Feasibility for change in normal position of mentioned LCs from 'closed to road traffic' to 'Open to road traffic' has been taken up.

Further, it is also planned to take up the work of preparation of technical feasibility report/ detailed project report (TFR/DPR) for the construction of Road over Bridge/ Road under Bridge (ROB/ RUB) in lieu of these LCs. Further action depends on TFR/DPR.

Trains between Lucknow and Prayagraj:

Indian  Railways  is  committed  to  run  more  trains  on  its  network. However,  introduction of new  trains, increase in frequency  of existing trains, extension of existing trains etc. on any route/section depends on various factors which include:

- Capacity of that section
- ●
- Availability of path
- ●
- ●
- ●
- Availability of required rolling stock
- Availability of matching infrastructure for rolling stock
- Maintenance requirement of railway tracks and other assets

Considering  the  above  factors,  presently,  Lucknow-Prayagraj sector is being served by 12 pairs of train services including 02 pairs having stoppage at Raebareli, Gauriganj, Amethi and Maa Belha Devi Dham Pratapgarh Junction.

To increase the capacity of the rail network and hence to run more  trains,  Indian  Railways  have  taken  up  network  expansion works in a big way.

Non-AC coaches (General & Sleepers):

With a view  to  meet  the  demand  of  passengers  travelling  in unreserved coaches, Railways have significantly increased the facilities for passengers demanding general class travel. During the last  financial  year  2024-25  alone,  1250  general coaches  have  been utilised in various long-distance trains.

To  cater  to  the  travel  demand  of  the  low  and  middle  income families,  Indian  Railways  have  taken  up  17,000  non-AC  coaches (general/sleeper) over the next 5 years.

On IR, the percentage of non-AC coaches, is about 70% as indicated below:

## Distribution of coaches:

| Non-AC coaches (general and sleeper)   | ~57,200   | ~70%   |
|----------------------------------------|-----------|--------|
| AC coaches                             | ~25,000   | ~30%   |
| Total coaches                          | ~82,200   | 100%   |

Due  to higher availability of general coaches,  the number  of passengers traveling in general/ unreserved coaches has shown an increasing trend as shown below:

## Passengers in general/unreserved coaches:

| Year    | Nos. of Passengers   |
|---------|----------------------|
| 2020-21 | 99 Cr (Covid year)   |
| 2021-22 | 275 Cr (Covid year)  |
| 2022-23 | 553 Cr               |
| 2023-24 | 609 Cr               |
| 2024-25 | 651 Cr               |

The  number  of  seats  available  for  non-AC  passengers  has  also increased. The current composition is as follows:

## Distribution of seats:

| Non-AC seats   | ~ 54 lakhs   | ~ 78%   |
|----------------|--------------|---------|
| AC seats       | ~ 15 lakhs   | ~ 22%   |
| Total          | ~ 69 lakhs   | 100%    |

Given the above data, it is clear that Indian Railways is committed to the  low  and  middle  income  families  who  prefer  railways  as  an affordable means of transportation.

## 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.  As  on  14th  August, 2025, 16 services are already 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:

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

The Design and Development of Coaches to enhance the safety and passenger experience is continuous process over Indian Railways.

Indian  Railways  has  proliferated  technologically  superior  LHB coaches  with  better  riding,  improved  aesthetics  and  features  like Lightweight design, Anti climbing arrangement, Air suspension (Secondary) with failure indication system, less corrosive shell etc.

Production  of  LHB  coaches  during  2014-25  vis-à-vis  2004-14  is  as under:

| Period   | LHB coaches manufactured         |
|----------|----------------------------------|
| 2004-14  | 2,337 Nos.                       |
| 2014-25  | 42,677 Nos. (more than 18 times) |

Indian Railways has also introduced completely Non-AC Amrit Bharat  trains  on  LHB  platform  with  enhanced  safety  features  and improved passenger amenities:

-  Better aesthetics of seat and berths with enhanced look & feel on the lines of Vande Bharat Sleeper.
- 
- Jerk Free Semi-Automatic couplers.
-  Improved crashworthiness in coaches by provision of crash tube.
-  Provision of CCTV system in all coaches and luggage room.
-  Improved designs of toilets.
-  Improved  design  of  Ladder  for  ease  of  climbing  on  to  the berth.
- 
- Provision of EP assisted braking system.
-  Aerosol based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles.
-  USB Type-A and Type-C mobile charging sockets.
-  Non-AC pantry car.
-  Fully sealed gangways with quick release mechanism.

## Security of passengers:

'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and, as such, State Governments are responsible for prevention, detection, registration and  investigation  of  crime  and  maintaining  law  and  order  etc.  on Railways  through  their  law  enforcement  agencies  viz.  Government Railway  Police  (GRP)/District  Police.  However,  Railway  Protection Force (RPF) supplements the efforts of GRP/District Police to provide better protection and security of passenger area and passengers and for matters connected therewith.

The following steps are taken by the Railways in coordination with  GRP  for  safety  and  security  of  passengers  in  trains  and  at stations:-

1.  On  vulnerable  and  identified  routes/sections,  trains  are escorted by Railway Protection Force in addition to trains escorted by Government Railway Police of different States daily.
2.  For  immediate  assistance  passengers  can  make  complaint on  Rail  Madad  Portal  directly  or  through  Helpline  Number  139 (integrated with National Emergency No.112).
3.  Railways  are  in  regular  touch  with  passengers  through various social media platforms viz. twitter, facebook, etc. to enhance security of passengers and to address their security concern.
4.  Frequent  announcements are made through Public Address System  to  educate  passengers  to  take  precautions  against  theft, snatching, drugging etc.
5.  CCTV  cameras  have  been  provided  in  coaches  and  at Railway Stations for enhanced security of passengers.
6.  Under  'Meri  Saheli  initiative,  focused  attention  has  been provided for safety and security of lady passengers travelling alone by  long  distance  trains  for  their  entire  journey  i.e.  from  originating station to destination station.
7. Zonal railways have been instructed for deployment of proper combined  strength  of  male  &  female  RPF/RPSF  personnel  in  train escort parties, to the extent possible.
8.  State  Level  Security  Committee  of  Railways  (SLSCR)  have been constituted for all State/Union Territories under the Chairmanship of respective Director General of Police/Commissioner of  States/Union  Territories  for  regular  monitoring  and  review  of security arrangements of the Railways.

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