Indian Railways is helping stranded passengers. (Image Credit: ANI)
Amid IndiGo’s unprecedented flight cancellations leaving thousands stranded, the Indian Railways has stepped in to offer relief by increasing coaches in premium trains and announcing special services across major routes.
As IndiGo’s operations crumble with over 400 flights cancelled on Thursday alone the Railway Ministry announced on Friday that 116 additional coaches will be added across 37 premium trains to ease passenger inconvenience. Airports witnessed chaos as delayed flights led to long queues, misplaced baggage, and mounting passenger frustration.
Railway officials confirmed that the additional coaches will be deployed in trains originating from major junctions including New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Jammu Tawi, Patna, Howrah, and Chennai, connecting both big and small cities nationwide.
Earlier, Northern Railway had increased 3AC and AC Chair Car coaches in four premium trains following a surge in passenger demand.
3AC Coaches Added:
12425/26 Jammu Rajdhani Express
12424/23 Dibrugarh Rajdhani Express
AC Chair Car Coaches Added:
12045/46 Chandigarh Shatabdi Express
12030/29 Amritsar Shatabdi Express
Northern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said additional coaches could be added to other premium trains depending on passenger demand, with the possibility of running fully air-conditioned special trains to mitigate flight disruptions.
To tackle the surge in travelers, Central Railway has announced six special trains on December 6 and 7:
Pune → SMVT Bengaluru – Dec 6
Pune → New Delhi – Dec 7
Lokmanya Tilak Terminus → Madgaon – Dec 7
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus → New Delhi – Dec 6
Lokmanya Tilak Terminus → Lucknow – Dec 6
Nagpur → CSMT – Dec 6
Swapnil Nila, Central Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer, stated these services aim to clear the extra rush caused by widespread flight cancellations.
IndiGo, which operates nearly two-thirds of India’s domestic air traffic with around 2,300 daily flights, cancelled over 1,000 flights on Friday, further aggravating passenger woes. CEO Pieter Elbers issued an apology, stating that operations are expected to normalise between December 10 and 15, with cancellations expected to fall below 1,000 the following day.
The airline’s operational disruption triggered chaos at airports nationwide, leading to social media outrage and a spike in airfares for alternate routes.
With additional coaches and special trains, the Indian Railways has stepped up as a lifeline for air travelers stranded due to IndiGo’s operational failure. Officials assure passengers that these measures will continue until the airline crisis stabilizes.
Passengers are advised to check train availability and schedules from major junctions before traveling.
ALSO READ: IndiGo Flight Chaos: Govt Cracks The Whip, Caps Airfares, Warns Airlines Amid Massive Disruptions
Sofia Babu Chacko is a journalist with over five years of experience reporting on Indian politics, crime, human rights, gender issues, and stories about marginalized communities. She believes journalism plays a crucial role in amplifying unheard voices and bringing attention to issues that truly matter. Sofia has contributed articles to The New Indian Express, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Maktoob Media. She is also a recipient of the 2025 Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity. Beyond the newsroom, she is a music enthusiast who enjoys singing. Connect with Sofia on X: https://x.com/SBCism
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