As India’s aviation sector grapples with one of the most severe operational crises in recent history, Indian Railways has swiftly moved to absorb the surge in passenger traffic caused by widespread flight cancellations. The crisis, triggered by IndiGo’s inability to comply with newly enforced crew duty-time regulations, has left thousands of travellers stranded across the country, prompting alternative arrangements through the rail network. In a major capacity enhancement, the Railways has deployed 116 extra coaches across 37 premium trains, covering an additional 114 trips, in a bid to provide immediate relief to affected passengers.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Railways, the Southern Railway zone has been at the forefront of the capacity augmentation exercise, adding coaches to 18 trains—the highest among all zones. The expansion includes both Chair Car and Sleeper Class coaches on high-demand routes, aimed at providing additional accommodation for passengers moving between southern India and the national capital. “Additional Chair Car and Sleeper Class coaches have been deployed on high-demand routes. These augmentations, implemented from 6 December 2025 onward, substantially expand accommodation capacity in the southern region,” the statement said, as reported by news agency PTI.

Northern Railway has also implemented similar measures across eight services, deploying extra 3AC and Chair Car coaches to reduce congestion on busy northern corridors. The move targets routes linking Delhi with key cities such as Lucknow, Varanasi, and Chandigarh, where demand has surged in the wake of flight cancellations. Western Railway, meanwhile, has expanded capacity on four major services, attaching additional 3AC and 2AC coaches to accommodate heavy passenger flows between western India and the national capital.

Beyond the southern, northern, and western zones, other regional divisions of Indian Railways have also ramped up their services. The East Central Railway (ECR) has introduced additional 2AC coaches on the Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi train (12309) for five trips scheduled between December 6 and December 10. This augmentation is designed to strengthen capacity along the Bihar–Delhi sector, where displaced air passengers have turned to rail as a viable alternative. East Coast Railway (ECOR) has enhanced three Bhubaneswar–New Delhi services (20817, 20811, 20823) with extra 2AC coaches over five trips, aiming to improve connectivity between Odisha and the national capital.

Similarly, Eastern Railway (ER) has boosted Sleeper Class availability across three trains, covering six trips on December 7 and 8, responding to heightened travel demand from eastern India. The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has attached additional 3AC and Sleeper coaches to two of its major trains, ensuring uninterrupted travel capacity across eight trips scheduled from December 6 to December 13. These measures collectively illustrate the rail network’s adaptability in dealing with sudden spikes in passenger movement caused by aviation disruptions.

In addition to expanding capacity on existing trains, Indian Railways has launched four special services to further ease the burden on passengers affected by cancelled flights. These include:

• Gorakhpur–Anand Vihar Terminal–Gorakhpur Special (05591/05592): Running four trips between December 7 and December 9, the train targets high passenger demand along the eastern Uttar Pradesh–Delhi corridor.
• New Delhi–Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan–New Delhi Reserved Vande Bharat Special (02439/02440):Scheduled for December 6, this high-speed service is aimed at providing faster connectivity toward Jammu.
• New Delhi–Mumbai Central–New Delhi Reserved Superfast Special (04002/04001): Operating on December 6 and 7, this train addresses increased demand in the western sector, particularly for passengers stranded by flight cancellations.
• Hazrat Nizamuddin–Thiruvananthapuram Central Superfast Special (04080): A one-way service running on December 6, enhancing long-distance travel options toward the southern states.

The Railway Ministry’s swift response reflects the significant role rail transport continues to play as a reliable alternative during disruptions in air travel. While IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, faces operational challenges due to newly enforced Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), the railways’ proactive approach has provided a lifeline for passengers seeking continuity in their travel plans.

IndiGo has faced widespread flight cancellations—over 1,000 on Friday alone—as it struggles to comply with crew duty-hour norms intended to prevent pilot fatigue. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has described the disruptions as a result of “misjudgment and gap in planning” by the airline. The crisis has affected major hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and searching for alternative transport.

In this context, the rail network’s augmentation represents both a short-term solution for passengers and a demonstration of the system’s operational resilience. By attaching extra coaches and introducing special services, Indian Railways has sought to mitigate the inconvenience caused by the airline’s inability to meet demand. The measures also underline the critical role of rail transport in India, particularly for domestic connectivity spanning multiple regions simultaneously.

Passengers have welcomed the increased capacity, with many opting for trains after missing connecting flights or facing indefinite delays at airports. Social media accounts and news reports describe passengers relieved to find available accommodation on premium trains such as Rajendra Nagar–New Delhi, Bhubaneswar–New Delhi, and Gorakhpur–Anand Vihar, which have been bolstered to meet extraordinary demand.

The Railways’ response is also notable for its speed and scale. Coordinating the addition of 116 extra coaches across 37 trains, while simultaneously launching four special services, requires meticulous planning and deployment of resources across multiple zones. This includes ensuring sufficient staffing, catering arrangements, cleaning, and safety measures on an accelerated schedule.

While the immediate relief is significant, experts note that sustained airline disruptions could place additional strain on the rail network, particularly during peak travel seasons. Nevertheless, the current measures illustrate Indian Railways’ capability to respond rapidly to large-scale disruptions in other transport sectors and its pivotal role in maintaining continuity for the travelling public.

In summary, as IndiGo continues to grapple with flight cancellations and operational bottlenecks, Indian Railways has stepped in decisively to accommodate affected passengers. With additional coaches on premium trains, capacity expansions across multiple zones, and special services on key long-distance routes, the railways are providing both immediate relief and a dependable alternative to air travel. This episode highlights the resilience and flexibility of India’s rail network in times of crisis, ensuring that millions of travellers can continue their journeys despite disruptions in the aviation sector.

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