Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Indian Railways Friday announced the starting of 26 new trains, extension of eight trains and increase in frequency of five trains.

Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said the new trains will be flagged off within a week by the local public representatives from different stations.

The extension of trains and increase in frequency of trains will be implemented with immediate effect, he said.

Officials said in the Railway Budget 2011-12, announcement for introduction of 132 new trains, extension of 33 trains and increase in frequency of 22 existing trains was made.

Of these, 42 new trains have been introduced, 24 trains extensions and 13 increase in frequency of existing trains has been implemented, they said.

Officials said in order to cater to the surge of passenger traffic, that is seasonal in nature, the railways has followed a strategy of running trains on demand.

Recognizing the need to bridge the extremely large gap between supply and demand on one hand and limitations of station capacity and track capacity on the other, a close watch is kept on the wait-list of passengers as well as on important social and cultural events in the region like Urs festival at Ajmer and the Durga Puja/Diwali and Chhat festivals, said officials.