As many as 80 new special trains will begin to run from today (Saturday), in addition to the 230 trains already in operation. The reservations for these trains had begun on Thursday. The development was confirmed by Railway Board Chairman VK Yadav, who at a media briefing, said, "Eighty new special trains or 40 pairs of trains will start operating from September 12. These will run in addition to the 230 trains already in operation."
Mr Yadav, who was recently appointed the first CEO of the Railway Board, said the railways will monitor all the trains that are currently in operation to determine which trains have a long waiting list.
"Wherever there is a demand for a particular train, wherever the waiting list is long, we will run a clone train ahead of the actual train, so that passengers can travel," he said.
The key factor in deciding the 80 new trains was the fact that there were many stations from where the migrant workers are going back to their workplace, Mr Yadav said.
"Many of these trains are running in the reverse direction of the Shramik Special trains. So, they (people) are leaving their homes and going to their workplace."
"We are monitoring the occupancy of trains and will run more trains as per demand. Among the 230 trains, the occupancy of 12 is very less. We are running them, but will reduce the number of coaches," he said, adding that the average occupancy in the 230 trains is 80-85 per cent.
Mr Yadav said the Railways is coordinating with the state governments while deciding on the introduction of new trains.
To a question about running trains for exams, Mr Yadav said, "We will run trains whenever there is a request from state governments for exams and other such purposes."
Earlier in a tweet, the Ministry of Railways had said the Indian Railways would run additional 40 pairs of more special trains from September 12.
"Indian Railways to run additional 40 pairs of more special trains w.e.f. 12th September 2020. These will be fully reserved train. Ticket can be booked from 10th September, 2020," it had tweeted.
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