The Ministry of Railways reported that Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a review of the summer special train operations in New Delhi on Thursday, 23 April.
In a post on X, the ministry announced: “Hon’ble MR Ashwini Vaishnaw reviews the operation of Summer Special Trains in New Delhi, as Indian Railways plans 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel period to ease passenger movement and enhance connectivity across high-demand routes.”
Hon’ble MR Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw reviews the operation of Summer Special Trains in New Delhi, as Indian Railways plans 18,262 special train trips during the peak summer travel period to ease passenger movement and strengthen connectivity across high-demand routes.
Read more:…
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) April 24, 2026
The ministry has approved 908 special trains for this timeframe, amounting to 18,262 trips. So far, over 11,800 trips (660 trains) have been officially confirmed and opened for bookings, with further announcements to follow in phases.
“During the peak summer travel period (15 April–15 July 2026), the Railways plans to operate 18,262 summer special train trips to improve connectivity and alleviate congestion. This large-scale deployment signifies a well-structured strategy supported by enhanced rake availability, optimized scheduling, and ongoing oversight,” the ministry stated.
Focus areas include high-traffic hubs such as New Delhi, Mumbai (covering LTT, CSMT, and Pune), Surat (including Udhna), Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru to ensure efficient passenger movement.
By mobilizing these special trains on high-demand routes, Indian Railways aims to minimize inconveniences during the seasonal rush. This extensive rollout intends to decrease waiting lists, boost the availability of confirmed berths, and enhance connectivity between major cities and areas.
Through timely planning and the announcement of thousands of additional trips, the Railways remains committed to prioritizing passenger convenience and comfort.
Zone-wise details
Summer special trains will operate across all major Indian Railways zones, ensuring balanced regional connectivity and effective passenger management. The zone-wise distribution is as follows:
- South Central Railway: 124 trains (1,184 trips) approved; 76 trains (324 trips) notified
- Western Railway: 106 trains (2,078 trips) approved; 92 trains (1,667 trips) notified
- North Western Railway: 76 trains (2,245 trips) approved; 62 trains (1,878 trips) notified
- Northern Railway: 76 trains (2,090 trips) approved; 56 trains (1,535 trips) notified
- Central Railway: 74 trains (3,082 trips) approved; 70 trains (2,238 trips) notified
- Southern Railway: 72 trains (558 trips) approved; 38 trains (133 trips) notified
- East Central Railway: 64 trains (2,711 trips) approved; 38 trains (1,060 trips) notified
- North Central Railway: 54 trains (1,163 trips) approved; 46 trains (688 trips) notified
- North Eastern Railway: 52 trains (814 trips) approved; 34 trains (477 trips) notified
- East Coast Railway: 28 trains (410 trips) approved; 18 trains (88 trips) notified
- West Central Railway: 28 trains (408 trips) approved; 18 trains (192 trips) notified
- Eastern Railway: 24 trains (392 trips) approved; 10 trains (276 trips) notified
- Northeast Frontier Railway: 24 trains (220 trips) approved; 20 trains (141 trips) notified
- South Eastern Railway: 20 trains (276 trips) approved; 18 trains (250 trips) notified
- South East Central Railway: 10 trains (122 trips) approved; 8 trains (70 trips) notified
- South Western Railway: 76 trains (509 trips) approved; 56 trains (277 trips) notified
