Indian Railways is set to manufacture 17,000 new general and sleeper coaches as part of a major capacity expansion aimed at strengthening affordable rail travel.
The move comes amid rising passenger demand, particularly in general and non-AC classes. According to the Railway Ministry, a significant share of India’s railway passengers rely on these categories for affordable travel.
The new coaches are expected to expand capacity across the network and provide more travel options for passengers, especially on long-distance routes.
The expansion also comes as Indian Railways continues to increase train services and introduce new passenger trains. The focus on general and sleeper coaches is aimed at ensuring that the growth of modern rail infrastructure is accompanied by greater capacity for affordable travel.
The additional coaches could help ease pressure on high-demand routes, particularly during peak travel seasons, while improving connectivity for millions of passengers.
With passenger numbers continuing to grow, the 17,000-coach manufacturing programme marks a significant push to expand India’s affordable rail travel network.
