Lok Sabha Question No. 2871 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-06
Subject: Delay of Trains due to operation of Vande Bharat Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri E Tukaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2871

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025

DELAY OF TRAINS DUE TO OPERATION OF VANDE BHARAT TRAINS 2871. SHRI E. TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the number of trains affected and delayed (in hours) due to the operation of Vande Bharat trains;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  number  of general coaches in trains to benefit economically weaker sections and if so, the details thereof including timeline therefor;
- (c)  whether  there  is  a  plan  to  improve  sanitation  at  railway  stations and coaches and reduce train delays, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether compensation is paid to passengers in case of long delays
- and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to (d) On Indian Railways (IR),  passenger train services, including Vande Bharat services, are operated  as per charted time table and General  Order  of  Precedence  of  Trains,  without  infringing  other services and all efforts  are made to run trains as per their schedule.

IR,  have  significantly  increased  the  facilities  for  the  benefit   of economically weaker passengers who demand general/sleeper 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:

Table 1: Distribution of coaches:

| Coach type                           | No. of Coaches   | Percentage   |
|--------------------------------------|------------------|--------------|
| 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:

Table 2: Passengers in general/unreserved coaches:

| Year    | No. 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 over the years.  The current composition is as follows:

Table 3: Distribution of seats:

| Seat Type    | No. of seats   | Percentage   |
|--------------|----------------|--------------|
| 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 Express:

Railways have developed a fully non-AC modern train named as Amrit Bharat  express.  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.
2. ii.
3. 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.
6. v.
7. 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 between Passenger and Guard/Train Manager.
- xii.  Non-AC pantry with enhanced heating capacity.
- xiii. Fully sealed gangways with quick release mechanism for easy
16. attachment and detachment.

Further,  to  cater  to  the  needs  of  passengers  desirous  of  availing unreserved  accommodation, Indian  Railways  (IR)  operate  unreserved non-AC passenger trains/ MEMU / EMU etc. for affordable travel, which are in addition to the unreserved accommodation (coaches) available in Mail/Express services.

## Standard Composition:

To provide greater accommodation for the passengers using General and non-AC Sleeper Coaches, the extant policy regarding composition of Mail/Express trains provides for 12 (Twelve) General class & Sleeper class  non-AC  coaches  and  08  (eight)  AC-Coaches,  in  a  train  of  22

coaches. Indian  Railways  make  every  endeavour  to  keep  trains  &  stations  in properly maintained and clean condition to ensure passengers comfort and a pleasant travel experience. Various measures have been taken to improve sanitation at Railway stations and coaches. Key measures include:-

-  All passenger coaches have been installed with bio-toilets so that no human waste is discharged from coaches on to the track and resulted in improved cleanliness level of platform & station like never before.
-  Mechanized Cleaning is being carried out at major stations and in trains.
-  On Board Housekeeping Services (OBHS) is provided to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in identified trains during run of the train. Currently,  OBHS  is  provided  in  approximately  1,375  pairs  of trains.
-  Clean  Train  Station  (CTS)  Scheme  is  provided  at  identified stations to improve the cleanliness of trains en-route by undertaking limited mechanized cleaning.
-  Regular inspections for monitoring cleanliness.
-  Feeds from CCTVS cameras installed at stations are also being utilised to monitor cleanliness activities from time to time.
-  Systematic  waste  segregation,  use  of  colour-coded  bins,  and scheduled garbage disposal at en-route stations are being enforced to manage onboard and station waste efficiently.

Regular actions are taken to ensure and improve proper maintenance quality and cleaning of coaches including passenger trains including Maintenance  of  coaches  at  Coaching  Depots/Terminals  in  line  with laid-out detailed guidelines/standards cleaning the trains with water. Besides, to facilitate the upkeep of the coaches during run On Board Housekeeping Service (OBHS) and Clean Train Stations (CTS) services are also provided for en-route attention.  These are regularly monitored through nominated officials in Division/Depots & Workshop across Zonal Railways. Full  refund  of  fare  is  granted  without  deduction  of  cancellation  or clerkage  charge  to  all  passengers  holding  reserved,  RAC  and  wait listed tickets, If the journey is not undertaken due to late running of train by more than three hours of the scheduled departure of the train from station commencing journey, provided ticket is cancelled/ ticket deposit  receipt  (TDR)  is  filed  as  the  case  may  be  as  per  Railway Passengers  (Cancellation  of  tickets  and  refund  of  fare)  Rules  2015 within the prescribed time limit.

- *****