Responding to a significant rise in passenger traffic, Indian Railways has announced the addition of eight extra coaches to the Bilaspur-Nagpur-Bilaspur Vande Bharat Express. The decision follows increasing demand and frequent complaints about overcrowding on the route.
Initially launched two years ago by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Vande Bharat Express connecting Bilaspur and Nagpur began operations with much fanfare. However, in the early months of its service, the train saw limited occupancy and ran with many vacant seats.
The situation has shifted dramatically in recent times, with a consistent uptick in ridership. The train, currently operating with eight coaches, is now often fully booked, leaving little room for additional passengers. Numerous travelers and civic groups had urged railway authorities to expand capacity to accommodate the growing demand.
In response, the railway administration has approved the expansion of train number 20825/26, doubling the number of coaches from 8 to 16. The revised configuration is scheduled to come into effect on June 1, 2025.
Officials from the Central Railway confirmed that preparations are underway to facilitate the upgrade, which is expected to significantly ease congestion and improve travel comfort for passengers along the route.
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