Southern Railway made record: 229 special trains, 32.98 lakh passengers traveled
Tamil Nadu: The Chennai-based Southern Railway has set a new record in the operation of special trains in the year 2025-2026. According to officials, by operating 229 special trains during this period, the Southern Railway has reached the first position in the country. The Railways stated this in an official press release issued on Saturday.
According to the Railways, special trains were operated extensively this year in view of the festive season and increased passenger traffic. In 2025-2026 alone, the Southern Railway operated a total of 2,153 special trips, providing great relief to passengers. Approximately 32.98 lakh passengers traveled through these trains, generating revenue of ₹243.22 crore for the Railways.
According to officials, the average capacity and utilization of special trains has also improved. The average number of passengers travelling per special train is 1,312, which is higher than the national average. According to Indian Railways data, on average, a special train carries approximately 894 passengers across the country. This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness and usefulness of Southern Railway’s special trains.
Southern Railway also reported that a total of 1,762 non-reservation special trains were operated during the year to address sudden surges in crowds and accommodate passengers on waiting lists. These trains played a crucial role in reducing passenger pressure during festivals and holidays.
According to railway officials, passenger demand and waiting lists are continuously monitored. Modern technology is used to inform passengers about train availability and occupancy through SMS alerts. This helps in the operationalization of special trains as needed.
In addition, the Railways utilized digital platforms, websites, social media, and newspapers to disseminate information about special trains to as many people as possible. The aim is to provide timely information to passengers and facilitate travel.
Railway officials state that this entire system has been developed with passenger convenience and crowd management in mind. Special trains serve as an important alternative during festive seasons when regular trains become overcrowded.
According to experts, this achievement by Southern Railway not only demonstrates operational efficiency but also shows that technology and data-driven management can further improve railway services. Given the increasing passenger numbers, the number of special trains is expected to increase further in the future.
With this achievement, Southern Railway has proven that through proper planning and quick decision-making, passenger congestion can be effectively managed and a better travel experience can be provided.