Lok Sabha Question No. 467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Restoration of Train Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Byreddy Shabari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 467 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## RESTORATION OF TRAIN SERVICES

## 467. DR. BYREDDY SHABARI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of train services passing through Andhra Pradesh that were cancelled or suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- (b)  the  details  of  trains  among them that are yet to be restored to regular operation as of July 2025;
- (c) whether the Government has received public/official representations for the restoration of specific services such as the Raichur-Kakinada  Express  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons for delay in their reinstatement; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  review  all  non-restored services in a time-bound manner especially those affecting connectivity in backward or high-mobility regions and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): With a view to contain the spread of Covid-19 pandemic, Indian  Railways  (IR)  had  discontinued  the  operation  of  all  regular passenger carrying trains with effect from 23rd March 2020 and only special train services were being operated.

Indian Railways also undertook rationalization of time table, including rationalisation  of  train  services,  in  a  scientific  manner  with  the assistance of  IIT-Bombay.  The exercise  has  been  undertaken  inter alia to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor  blocks,  speeding  up  of  train  services  and  to  improve punctuality. Since November-2021, Express train services are being operated as per rationalized time table and regular numbers.

As the railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries.

Presently,  on  an  average  Indian  Railways  operate  11,740  train services daily (including 2,238 long distance Mail/Express) as against 11,283 services including 1,768 long distance Mail/Express) operating prior to Covid-19.

Indian Railways(IR), operates Special train services during festivals, holidays,  etc.  to  cater  to  the  extra  needs  of  passengers  and  to supplement the accommodation available by regular trains. Accordingly, to cater to the needs of Raichur and Kakinada sector, IR operated 07245/46 Kakinada-Raichur Special train (Bi-weekly service via Nandyal) during January-March, 2020. Presently, 07033/34 MysuruKakinada  Town  special  (via  Raichur)  is  catering  to  the  needs  of Raichur-Kakinada sector.

Introduction of new train services 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

Accordingly, Nandyal is connected to Samalkot (13 km  from Kakinada) by 03 pairs of regular services, including the daily service of 18463/64 Bengaluru-Bhubaneswar Prashanti Express. Further, one pair of special train is also catering to the said sector. Further, proposals/requests/suggestions/representations, both formal and  informal  inter  alia  for  introduction/restoration  of  trains  are received  from  Members  of  Parliament,  elected  representatives, organizations/rail users etc. at various levels including Railway Board, such proposals/requests/suggestions is a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained. However, these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken

Zonal Railways, Divisional Office etc. As receipt of from time to time, which is an on-going process.

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