The Ministry of Railways on Monday, 20 April, announced that Indian Railways will operate 18,262 summer special train trips across the country between 15 April and 15 July 2026, to manage the surge in passenger demand during the peak travel season.
A total of 908 summer special trains have been approved for the period, out of which 660 trains accounting for 11,294 trips have already been notified, enabling passengers to plan travel in advance.
The large-scale deployment of special trains is aimed at ensuring smoother travel, reducing waiting lists and improving berth availability during vacations and festival-related travel demand.
Zone-wise, South Central Railway leads in terms of number of trains with 124 trains (1,184 trips) approved, followed by Western Railway with 106 trains (2,078 trips) and North Western Railway and Northern Railway with 76 trains each (2,245 trips and 2,090 trips respectively).
Other major zones contributing to the summer special operations include Central Railway with 74 trains (3,082 trips) and Southern Railway with 72 trains (558 trips) approved.
The operation spans all major railway zones, ensuring balanced regional connectivity and efficient passenger handling across high-demand corridors.
“By deploying special trains across high-demand routes, Indian Railways is ensuring that passengers experience minimal inconvenience during the summer rush,” the ministry said.
