Lok Sabha Question No. 1681 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Overcrowding/Shortage of Coaches Constraints on Palakkad Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1681

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## OVERCROWDING/SHORTAGE OF COACHES CONSTRAINTS ON PALAKKAD DIVISION

1681.  SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  severe  overcrowding  and inadequate seating capacity on major trains operating through Kasaragod-Kannur-Kozhikode-Mangalore routes and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  to  increase  coach composition,  add  special  services  and  improve  rake  allocation  for Palakkad Division; and
- (c) the  monitoring  mechanism  and  timeframe  for  providing  measurable relief to daily commuters and long distance passengers? whether the Government has  conducted  any  study  to  assess  the  demand-supply gap and proposes to introduce additional services, extended rakes or new coaches to ease congestion and if so, the details thereof;

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  On  Indian  Railways,  occupancy  pattern  of  trains  is  not  uniform throughout the year and it varies over lean and peak periods. During peak rush  periods,  the  occupancy  of  the  trains  especially  on  popular  routes remains full whereas during lean period and on less popular routes, there is sub  optimal  utilization.  At  present,  Kozhikode  and  Mangaluru  Central stations  are  being  served  by  114  and  58  train  services  respectively.  Both the stations are served by 4 Vande  Bharat train services. Further,

Kozhikode - Mangaluru sector is presently being served by 47 pairs of train services including 2 Vande Bharat train services. Furthermore,  traffic  pattern  of  the  passengers  on  Indian  Railways  is monitored  on  regular  basis  and  in  its  constant  endeavour  to  provide additional  accommodation  to  travelling  passengers,  Indian  Railways  (IR), operates  Special  train  services  during  festivals,  holidays,  etc.  to  cater  to the extra needs of passengers and supplement  the  accommodation available by regular services.  In addition to the above, the load of trains are also  augmented,  both  on  a  permanent  and  temporary  basis,  to  generate additional accommodation for different segments of passengers. Accordingly, on the Indian Railways (IR) network, during Year 2025-26 (till October 2025), 52731 special trains were operated and 660 coaches have been utilized for augmentation of train services on a permanent basis. Moreover, Indian Railways (IR) has significantly increased the facilities for passengers demanding 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 peak season and festival rush, 492 trips of extra coaches, on Palakkad  Division,  have  been  attached  on  temporary  basis,  to  generate additional  accommodation  for  different  segments  of  passengers  of  the section.  Presently,    all  the    19  pairs  of  trains  serving  the  Kasaragod  Kozhikode - Kannur - Mangaluru serctor, are being operated with minimum 4 GS Coaches.

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