Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has given a big good news for the passengers. IRCTC has announced to run 21 new trains across the country from 26 January 2025. These new trains aim to provide better connectivity and convenient travel experience to the passengers. IRCTC has designed these trains with modern facilities, which will provide complete experience of comfort, safety and entertainment to the passengers.
This initiative has been taken to further strengthen the Indian Railways network and meet the increasing demand of passengers. These new trains will not only provide more choices to passengers, but will also improve connectivity between many cities and towns. This step of IRCTC is an important step towards making rail travel more comfortable and convenient.
IRCTC’s 21 new trains: An introduction
21 new trains being launched by IRCTC will connect different parts of the country. Modern facilities have been taken care of in these trains, so that the passengers can get a better travel experience. These trains will mainly run between big cities, but some trains will also connect smaller cities and towns.
Overview of IRCTC’s new train service
| Description | Information |
| start date | January 26, 2025 |
| number of new trains | 21 |
| main road | Delhi-Mumbai, Chennai-Kolkata, Bengaluru-Hyderabad |
| types of trains | Superfast Express, Intercity Express |
| facilities | Wi-Fi, Bio-toilet, On-board Entertainment |
| booking platform | IRCTC website, mobile app |
| fare structure | Affordable to premium ranges |
| special facilities | Special provisions for disabled passengers |
Route and Schedule of new trains
Among the 21 new trains being launched by IRCTC, some of the major routes and their schedules are as follows:
Delhi-Mumbai Superfast Express
- Departure: Delhi – 6:00 am
- Arrival: Mumbai – 10:30 pm
- Frequency: Daily
This train will cover the distance between Delhi and Mumbai in just 16.5 hours, which is about 3 hours less than the current time. Passengers will get a fast and comfortable travel experience on this route.
Chennai-Kolkata Intercity Express
- Departure: Chennai – 7:30 am
- Arrival: Kolkata – 9:00 pm
- Frequency: 5 days a week
This train will connect two major cities of South and Eastern India. Passengers traveling on this route will get better connectivity and save time.
Bengaluru-Hyderabad Express
- Departure: Bengaluru – 2:00 pm
- Arrival: Hyderabad – 8:30 pm
- Frequency: Daily
This train will connect two major tech hubs of South India. IT professionals and students traveling on this route will get special benefits.
Apart from these major routes, other trains will also connect various cities and towns, giving passengers the benefit of a wider network.
Features and facilities of the new trains
IRCTC has provided many modern facilities for passengers in these new trains:
- High-Speed Wi-Fi: Passengers will enjoy free high-speed internet connectivity, allowing them to work or enjoy entertainment while on board.
- Bio-toilets: Eco-friendly and hygienic toilets have been installed, which will make the journey more comfortable.
- On-board Entertainment: Touchscreen displays are fitted with multimedia content, allowing passengers to enjoy movies, TV shows and music.
- Mobile Charging Points: Mobile charging points will be available at every seat, allowing passengers to charge their devices.
- Pantry Car: Pantry car has been provided to facilitate fresh and hot food.
- CCTV Surveillance: CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure the safety of passengers.
Ticket Booking and Fare Structure
IRCTC has simplified the ticket booking process for these new trains:
- Online Booking: Tickets can be easily booked on IRCTC website and mobile app.
- Counter Booking: Tickets can also be purchased from ticket counters located at railway stations.
- Tatkal Booking: Some seats are reserved for Tatkal booking.
The fare structure has been designed keeping in mind different categories of passengers:
- General Category: Convenience of travel at economical fares.
- Sleeper Category: Comfortable option for mid-budget travellers.
- AC Category: For those seeking a premium travel experience.
Benefits for travelers
Passengers will get many benefits with the introduction of these new trains:
- Better connectivity: Small cities and towns will have better connectivity with big metros.
- Time Saving: Faster trains will reduce travel time, allowing passengers to reach their destinations quicker.
- Comfortable Travel: Trains equipped with modern facilities will make the journey more comfortable.
- Affordable option: With tickets available in different categories, passengers of every budget will be able to avail these trains.
- Environment friendly: Promoting rail travel will reduce dependence on road transport, which is beneficial for the environment.
Other passenger-centric initiatives of IRCTC
Apart from these new trains, IRCTC has also launched several other initiatives for the convenience of passengers:
- E-Catering Service: Passengers can order food of their choice online, which will be provided to them during the journey.
- Rail Connect App: Through this app, passengers can avail real-time train status, platform information and other facilities.
- Digital Payment: Easy payment facility has been provided through UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card.
- Live Train Tracking: Passengers can track the current status of their train in real-time.
Disclaimer
This article has been written for informational purposes. Although we have tried to provide accurate information, no official announcement has been made regarding the new train services of IRCTC. Passengers are advised to contact the official IRCTC website or helpline before making any travel plans or ticket booking. The information provided in this article is subject to change and should not be considered as actual IRCTC services.
