New Delhi | As IndiGo grapples with one of the worst operational disruptions in its history, the Indian Railways has stepped in as an emergency lifeline, announcing the addition of 116 extra passenger coaches across major routes to manage the surge of stranded travellers.
The move comes amid mass flight cancellations, crippling crew shortages and unprecedented airfare spikes, leaving thousands of passengers searching for viable travel alternatives.
IndiGo Turmoil: 1,000+ Flights Cancelled, Airfares Spiral
IndiGo’s operations have been severely hit due to crew shortages and Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) constraints, grounding nearly 45% of its daily schedule.
In the last three days alone, over 1,000 flights have been cancelled nationwide.
This sudden capacity collapse has triggered extreme airfare inflation:
- Kolkata–Mumbai: up to ₹90,000 (SpiceJet)
- Mumbai–Delhi: ₹40,000+ on several carriers
- Goa–Mumbai: ₹21,000+ for short-haul travel
Aviation analysts describe the situation as a severe supply shock, warning of ripple effects across business travel, tourism, and logistics.
Railways’ Emergency Response: 116 Coaches, 12,000 Extra Berths
In response, the Railways Ministry announced the deployment of 116 additional coaches across high-demand metro corridors, including:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Bengaluru
- Chennai
- Kolkata
- Hyderabad
The move is expected to create around 12,000 additional berths, easing pressure on last-minute travellers.
A senior railway official said:
“With airfares going beyond reach for most passengers, Railways is stepping up as a reliable and cost-effective alternative.”
The ministry has also kept special trains on standby, particularly in view of the holiday and festival travel season.
Government & DGCA Step In to Restore Normalcy
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government is actively monitoring the crisis.
Key steps include:
-
DGCA seeking a detailed operational roadmap from IndiGo
-
Temporary relaxation of FDTL norms
-
Instructions to airlines for full refunds and passenger assistance
“We expect operations to stabilise within the next three days,” the minister said.
Railways as India’s ‘Cushion Transport System’
Railway officials termed the network a “cushion transport system” — capable of absorbing sudden passenger shifts when air travel fails.
Measures taken include
- Platform reallocation
- Dynamic coach attachment
- Real-time updates via Tatkal Seat Alert systems
Officials reported a sharp rise in bookings on corridors such as Delhi–Mumbai, Chennai–Bengaluru and Kolkata–Delhi.
Rail Bookings Surge 40% Amid Air Travel Chaos
Travel agencies confirm that rail ticket bookings have surged nearly 40% over the last 72 hours, with even corporate travellers shifting from flights to trains.
Travel analyst Rajneesh Goel said:
“This episode highlights the risks of over-dependence on aviation. Railways’ rapid response shows why multi-modal resilience matters.”
Analysis: When Skies Fail, Tracks Hold the Nation Togethe
The IndiGo crisis has once again underlined a core lesson in mobility management — resilient transport systems require strong alternatives.
While air travel offers speed, the current chaos proves that national connectivity cannot rely solely on the skies.
The Railways’ decisive response reflects integrated infrastructure planning:
“When the skies become unaffordable, the tracks become the nation’s lifeline.”
For now, with planes grounded and fares sky-high, it is the Indian Railways ensuring continuity, affordability and stability — keeping India moving when aviation stumbles.
Image Caption
Indian Railways adds extra coaches on key routes as IndiGo flight cancellations leave thousands of passengers stranded.
