Anticipating a sharp rise in passenger traffic, East Coast Railway (ECoR) will temporarily attach extra coaches to a string of popular trains through September.
The move is meant to add berths and seats on busy inter-city and long-distance services and to make journeys a little less cramped.
The augmentation begins as early as September 1 and, depending on the train, runs through the end of the month or the first days of October.
Long-distance AC extras
One Third AC coach will be attached to:
- 18463 Bhubaneswar–KSR Bengaluru Prasanthi Express (Sept 1–30) and 18464 return (Sept 2–Oct 1)
- 12819 Bhubaneswar–Anand Vihar Terminal Odisha Sampark Kranti Express (Sept 2–30) and 12820 return (Sept 4–Oct 2)
- 22879 Bhubaneswar–Tirupati (Sept 5–26) and 22880 return (Sept 6–27)
- 18447 Bhubaneswar–Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express (Sept 1–30) and 18448 return (Sept 2–Oct 1)
- 20471 Shri Ganganagar–Puri Express (Sept 6–27) and 20472 Puri–Shri Ganganagar (Sept 9–30)
Regional and shorter services
For intra-state and regional demand, ECoR will add:
- One AC Chair Car on 18301 Sambalpur–Rayagada and 18302 Rayagada–Sambalpur (Sept 1–30)
- One AC Chair Car on 18417 Puri–Gunupur and 18418 Gunupur–Puri (Sept 1–30 / Sept 2–Oct 1)
- One Sleeper Class coach on 20832 Sambalpur–Shalimar Mahima Gossain Express (Sept 1–29) and 20831 return (Sept 2–30)
- Two unreserved General coaches on 12893 Bhubaneswar–Purnakatak and 12894 Purnakatak–Bhubaneswar (Sept 1–30 / Sept 2–Oct 1)
Railway officials said the extra coaches will create additional reserved berths and unreserved space on routes that typically see heavy booking during this period.
Passengers are advised to check the latest composition on the NTES app, IRCTC or station enquiry before travel, as the extra coaches will be attached only on the dates listed.
The temporary measure is part of ECoR’s usual monsoon-to-festival crowding plan and is intended to spread load without introducing new trains.
