Good News for Railway Passengers: Over 1,000 New General Class Coaches to Be Added

In a significant development for railway passengers, Indian Railways is set to expand its fleet by adding more than 1,000 general class bogies to over 370 trains by the end of November 2024. This move is aimed at reducing congestion and improving travel comfort for middle-class passengers, who make up a large part of the train-traveling population.

The Railway Department has already added 600 general class coaches to various trains in the last three months. In the coming years, more than 10,000 non-AC coaches will be introduced, benefiting an estimated one lakh passengers daily. This expansion includes both general second class and sleeper coaches.

According to Dr. Swapnil Neela, Chief Public Relations Officer for Central Railway, 90 general class coaches will be added to 42 trains, benefiting over 9,000 passengers daily. The increase in sleeper coaches, along with the new general class bogies, is expected to alleviate the long waiting lists for reservations, providing more space and options for travelers.

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of the Railway Board, highlighted that these new additions are part of a broader effort to improve facilities for all passenger categories. The new LHB-type coaches—lighter, stronger, and more accident-resistant than the traditional ICF coaches—will enhance the overall travel experience, offering safer journeys for millions of passengers.

This expansion is set to provide significant relief to travelers, with an additional 8 lakh passengers able to travel on general class coaches every day.