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Amid IndiGo’s massive flight cancellations, Indian Railways is rushing 89 special trains across the country. Could these trains be the lifeline for stranded travelers? Here’s what you need to know.
Railways steps in with 89 special trains across India
New Delhi: In response to widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, the Indian Railways has announced the operation of 89 special trains over the next three days, starting Saturday, to ease travel disruptions for passengers stranded across the country.
The Railways’ initiative, which involves over 100 trips, comes after a rapid assessment of train traffic in major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, and Howrah. Authorities have indicated that the number of trains and trips could be increased further depending on passenger demand.
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information & Publicity at the Railway Board, stated, “All zones have been instructed to utilize available resources, including rolling stock and manpower, to ensure the safe and timely operation of these trains for passengers affected by flight cancellations.”
Indian Railways, in view of the surge in passenger demand following widespread flight cancellations, has taken extensive measures to ensure smooth travel and adequate availability of accommodation across the network. A total of 37 trains have been augmented with 116 additional…
— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 6, 2025
Railway divisions are making efforts to inform the public about these special trains. Some zones have coordinated with airports to disseminate information directly to passengers.
The South Eastern Railway issued a press release instructing the Airport Authority to display details of the special services. This step aims to ensure travellers at affected airports are aware of alternate travel options.
Western Railway: Seven special trains will operate on routes including Mumbai Central-New Delhi, Mumbai Central-Bhiwani, Mumbai Central-Shakur Basti, Bandra Terminus-Durgapura, Valsad-Bilaspur, Sabarmati-Delhi, and Sabarmati-Delhi Sarai Rohilla, with special fares applicable.
South Central Railway: Four special trains will run on Saturday to manage passenger surges due to IndiGo cancellations.
Central and Northern Railways: Plans include 14 and 10 special trains, respectively, with ongoing reviews to accommodate increasing demand.
Other Zones: Notifications and schedules for additional special trains have also been released to ensure widespread coverage.
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IndiGo flights have experienced significant disruptions for at least five consecutive days, with large-scale cancellations and delays affecting thousands of passengers. Reports have also emerged of misplaced baggage, adding to travelers’ difficulties.
The Railway Ministry’s swift response aims to provide an alternative mode of transportation for stranded passengers and minimize the travel chaos caused by the airline’s operational issues.
