Nagpur News

Vande Bharat Train Between Nagpur and Secunderabad Faces Challenges with Low Passenger Turnout

The Vande Bharat train service between Nagpur and Secunderabad, launched in September as the city’s third route, is facing significant challenges in attracting passengers. Currently, the train has an average occupancy rate of just around 35%, leading to concerns that the number of coaches may need to be reduced if this trend persists. Despite the recent festive season, which typically sees heightened demand for train travel and crowded carriages, the Vande Bharat Express on this route has struggled. With a total of about 1,400 seats across Chair Car and Executive Class, the train frequently has over 900 empty seats, effectively rendering it a “ghost train.” This situation allows last-minute travelers to easily secure bookings for the following day.
Initially, railway authorities expressed optimism that ridership would improve over time. To increase awareness and draw more passengers, they launched advertising campaigns and leveraged social media. However, ongoing low occupancy rates have prompted discussions about potential adjustments to enhance the service.Aman Mittal, the Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (SrDCM) of Nagpur Central Railways, has acknowledged the low turnout and indicated that a review of the train’s operations is on the table, which may involve reducing the number of coaches. Currently, this Vande Bharat Express has 20 coaches, making it the longest in the fleet, while most others operate with only 8.Mittal noted that the demand for premium chair car services on this route remains low.
To tackle this issue, railway authorities are considering alterations to the train’s schedule to better meet passenger preferences, hoping such changes will lead to increased ridership.The low demand for the Vande Bharat service is further compounded by the availability of 31 other trains on the same route, including popular services like the Rajdhani and Duronto Express, which offer ample seating options. Although the Vande Bharat Express was launched with high expectations, it is currently struggling against established competition. The railway administration remains hopeful that adjustments to the service will eventually boost passenger numbers, but for now, many seats remain unoccupied.
Ziya Khan

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