Indian Railways Deploys 89 Special Trains Across Key Routes to Alleviate Travel Disruptions Amid IndiGo Flight Cancellations Due to Increased Passenger Demand in Major Cities Like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Howrah

Published on December 8, 2025

As chaos gripped airports across India, Indian Railways stepped in like a saviour. With widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo and a surge in winter travel demand, the national carrier rolled out 89 special trains — more than 100 trips — starting 6 December 2025. This move aims to ease the strain in major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Howrah and Chennai. The Railways’ swift action offered hope and relief to thousands left stranded, turning what could have been a travel nightmare into a manageable journey for many.

Why the Rail Surge? When Flights Fail, Tracks Take Over

The disruption began after a wave of cancellations by IndiGo, India’s largest airline, triggered by crew constraints and flight‑duty time limits. The cancellations left many travellers scrambling for options at the last minute.

Faced with a sudden spike in demand, the Ministry of Railways assessed the situation and unleased a nationwide rail blitz. The decision aimed to ensure uninterrupted connectivity even as air travel faltered — especially critical given winter’s traditional travel swell across India.

Zone‑wise Rollout: Who’s Running What

Central Railway

14 special services have been scheduled under Central Railway, connecting routes such as Pune–Bengaluru, Pune–Hazrat Nizamuddin, LTT–Madgaon, CSMT–Hazrat Nizamuddin, LTT–Lucknow, Nagpur–CSMT, Gorakhpur–LTT, and Bilaspur–LTT. These services will operate between 6 and 12 December.

South Eastern Railway

Special trains will link Santragachi with Yelahanka, Howrah with Mumbai CSMT, and Cherlapalli with Shalimar. The Santragachi–Yelahanka leg departs on 7 December; sleeper links run between 6 and 8 December.

South Central Railway

On 6 December itself, South Central Railway began operations with trains from Cherlapalli to Shalimar, Secunderabad to Chennai Egmore, and Hyderabad to Mumbai LTT.

Northern and Other Zones

Northern Railway will operate the New Delhi–Udhampur Vande Bharat service, plus special services linking Delhi with Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and other destinations starting 6 December. Additional trains include Delhi–Mumbai Central and special services from Durg to Hazrat Nizamuddin (7 December) and return (8 December).

A special Durg–Hazrat Nizamuddin train (08760) departs on 7 December; return (08761) on 8 December.

Government Green Light: Official Press Release Confirms Rail Plan

The announcement came officially through the Ministry of Railways via its press release on 6 December, confirming the deployment of 89 special services — totalling over 100 trips — across multiple zones. The ministry emphasised that the trains are meant to relieve pressure on rail corridors amid heightened demand.

Railway officials have indicated the possibility of further expansion of services, depending on demand. All zones have been instructed to utilise available rolling stock and manpower to run these special trains safely.

What This Means for Travellers

For stranded air‑travel passengers, this was a timely lifeline. The special trains offered alternative routes to reach their destinations — guaranteed seats, scheduled departures and a secure mode of travel at a time when flights were uncertain.

Trains included a mix of classes — sleeper, AC and general seating — catering to different budgets and traveler needs. For many, this restored a sense of control and hope amid travel chaos.

For those travelling with families, especially during the winter holidays, this move by Indian Railways meant avoiding long waiting hours at airports and uncertain flight re‑booking.

Challenges Remain: Demand Outpaces Even the Extra Coaches

Despite the massive mobilisation, the surge in travellers has tested the rail system’s limits. On some routes, waiting lists ballooned within hours of train announcements. Officials warned that further cancellations or delays could amplify pressure, but they reassured travellers of continuous monitoring and additional adjustments if required.

Experts have urged caution over long‑distance travel times on trains compared to flights. For some passengers, especially those needing to reach destinations urgently (like weddings, business meetings, or connecting flights), the rail option might still be inconvenient.

What Authorities Are Doing: Helpdesks, Awareness, Coordination

To smoothen the transition from air to rail travel, the Ministry has directed railway divisions and airports to coordinate. Travellers have been advised to book via official portals or located helpdesks set up at key airports. This collaborative effort underscores how railways and civil aviation authorities are working together to manage an unprecedented travel surge.

Some zones have also issued public advisories to alert passengers about available special trains — a move to avoid overcrowding at stations and ensure fair access to seats.

Railways’ Big Test: Can It Withstand the Surge?

This large‑scale deployment of special trains marks one of the biggest reactive operations by Indian Railways in recent memory. The success of this initiative will hinge on smooth coordination, timely departures, and transparent updates.

For rail fans and daily commuters alike, this could be a demonstration of the system’s resilience — but only if crowd management, scheduling and communication hold up under pressure

Railways Offers a Lifeline — But Travellers Must Stay Vigilant

The sudden collapse of air travel across the country left many journeys in limbo. In stepped Indian Railways with 89 special trains — a bold, large‑scale effort to turn potential travel disasters into doable journeys. For many passengers, it meant safety, certainty and relief.

Still, with demand soaring and seats limited, travellers are urged to act fast: book early, keep travel documents ready, and check official platforms for real‑time updates. In times of crisis, that little extra effort could mean the difference between being stranded and reaching home.