Resumption Of Regular Train Services
A.I.R.F.
All India Railwaymen’s Federation
4, State Entry Road, New Delhi – 1100055
No. AIRF / 24 (C)
Dated: December 23, 2025
The Chairman-Cum-CEO,
Railway Board,
New Delhi
Dear Sir,
Sub: Resumption of Regular Trains Services – Reg.
Running of Regular Passenger Trains was stopped in the name of nation-wide lockdown. Goods / Freight Trains were, however, run even during the lockdown. Also, Special Trains, to carry migrant labourers, were run during the lockdown period.
As can be appreciated, both the above type of trains are cash-cows for the Railways. Special Trains, run for the migrant labourers, were paid for by the respective State Governments that have booked the trains. As far as Freight Trains are concerned, it would suffice to state that, current year’s loading by the Indian Railways has increased manifold. As against the quick buck being made by the Railways, by running Freight Trains, Passenger Trains are consciously not being run to reduce the losses that are incurred in running Passenger Trains. Even when all other modes of transport are restored and all the inter-state restrictions are removed on movement of the people and materials; it is beyond comprehension, as to why Passenger Train Services are not restored by the Indian Railways. As this Federation (AIRF) understands the issue, the idea of the Railway Board seems to be:-
(a) To prepare travelling public to get used to pay higher charges, so that, there will be less / no resistance as and when Passenger Services are privatized.
(b) To portray the Railways as an inconsequential mode of transport, so that, it can be branded as an inefficient entity and can eventually be sold-off / privatized.
The situation, as it obtains today, people have already started to forget that the Indian Railways have ever existed and have started to move to alternate modes of transport, which is going to endanger the very existence of the Indian Railways as an organization, and there cannot be two opinions that, this act of Government is well-thought out and deliberate.
Also, there is no plausible explanation not to run Regular Train Services when the same services are being run under a different lable of Daily Specials / Festival Specials. When the atmosphere is conducive to run Special Trains, it is equally conducive for running of Regular Trains too. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Covid-19 virus can differentiate between a Regular Train and a Special Train, and will infect only those travelling in a Regular Passenger Train.
In view of the foregoing, you are requested to take appropriate action for restoration of Regular Passenger Train Services with immediate effect.
An early action in the matter shall be highly appreciated.
Yours Faithfully,
Comradely yours,
(Shiva Gopal Mishra)
General Secretary
Source: airfindia.org
Here’s the most up-to-date overview of the resumption of regular train services by Indian Railways, covering historical context, recent regularisations, and current status as of mid-2025:
Contents
🚆 1. Background: COVID Suspension & Gradual Restoration
- During early 2025, passenger services were suspended due to COVID. Indian Railways restored operations gradually, with special trains and limited services reintroduced over time.
- Officials clarified that a full-scale resumption had to be approved per train and phased in consultation with state governments. As of late 2020, no fixed timeline for full resumption was set.
🔄 2. Full Resumption of Regular Trains (By Early 2025)
- By March–April 2025, Indian Railways had fully restored nearly all local, express, and mail train services, effectively ending pandemic-related disruptions.
🚆 3. Special Services Regularized in 2025
- Vijayapura–Mangaluru Train
- Previously operated as special train 07377/07378, it has now been regularized as Express 17377/17378, with daily departures, standard fares, and multi-class service from April 2025.
- Kolkata–Guwahati Garib Rath Express (12517/18)
- Once run as AC special, this service was reinstated as a regular weekly Garib Rath Express from July 2025.
📈 4. New & Upgraded Regular Services in 2025
- Gorakhpur–Patliputra Mini Vande Bharat Express (26501/02)
- Inaugurated on 20 June 2025, this is the 70th Vande Bharat, now running 6 days a week between Gorakhpur and Patna (Patliputra) in Bihar.
- Rajendra Nagar Terminal – New Delhi Amrit Bharat Express (22361/62)
- Flagged off on 18 July 2025, this daily superfast express now serves as a regular service connecting Patna area to Delhi.
- Similar Malda Town–Gomti Nagar and Bapudham Motihari–Anand Vihar Terminal Amrit Bharat Express trains were also made regular from mid-2025 onward.
- New Bengaluru–Rishikesh direct express (06597/06598) began operations on 19 June 2025, connecting Karnataka and Uttarakhand for the first time.
📊 Summary Table
| Route | Train No. | Status | Frequency | Major Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vijayapura ↔ Mangaluru Central | 17377 / 17378 | Regularized (was Special) | Daily | Standard fares, AC/Sleeper/2S |
| Kolkata ↔ Guwahati | 12517 / 12518 | Regular Garib Rath Express | Weekly | AC‑3E coaches, reinstated July 2025 |
| Gorakhpur ↔ Patliputra | 26501 / 26502 | Mini Vande Bharat Express | 6 days/week | High-speed AC chair cars, modern amenities |
| Rajendra Nagar (Patna) ↔ New Delhi | 22361 / 22362 | Regular Amrit Bharat Express | Daily | Sleeper & General, 22 LHB coaches |
| Malda Town ↔ Gomti Nagar | 13435 / 13436 | Amrit Bharat Express | Weekly | Budget Sleeper & General coaches |
| Motihari ↔ Anand Vihar Terminal | 15567 / 15568 | Amrit Bharat Express | Bi‑Weekly | Low-cost daily travel link with 559 berths |
| Bengaluru ↔ Rishikesh | 06597 / 06598 | First direct express | 6 days/week | Cross-regional pilgrim/tourist connectivity |
✅ TL;DR
- By early 2025, regular passenger services across India resumed fully following COVID disruptions.
- Several former special trains have been reclassified as regular express services in 2025, including:
- Vijayapura–Mangaluru
- Kolkata–Guwahati (Garib Rath)
- New regular long-distance services introduced in 2025 include the Mini Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains.
- Indian Railways continues to expand direct connectivity across regions, offering modern and affordable options.
Would you like updates for a specific railway zone, route status inquiries, or help checking which specials are now regular in your region?