Overcrowding in Indian trains

Travelling by train is the best way to learn about India, its people, its culture, the villages, the smaller towns and the simple lives of the Indian people. A trip to India would not be complete without a train journey on the Indian railways.

However a traveller to India must be warned of the severe overcrowding in Indian trains. India has one of the biggest, the busiest and is the most connected rail networks in the world. With a population that is creeping towards 1.5 billion, it is no surprise that trains often runs overcrowded.

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Overcrowded Indian train, Overcrowding in Indian trains
Overcrowded Indian train

There are several types of trains in India; local trains that operate within the city such as the locals trains in Mumbai, there are long distance trains where one can travel in relative comfort, there are trains that connect the Indian capital to state capitals called the “Rajdhani Express”, then there local state trains.

If using local city trains such as Mumbai trains called the city’s suburban network then be prepared to face huge overcrowding. I have never travelled in one of these and don’t intend to. I would rather take a taxi or an auto-rickshaw.

The local state trains that connect the villages and towns are also a big culprit where overcrowding can case huge problems to those who are not used to. The issues are so severe that one has to cling on the doors or climb on to the roof tops. These local trains are best avoided. More appropriate mode of transport would be pre-booked coaches and taxis.

Train journey in India
Train journey in India in sleeper compartments. Source: Flick, Matthew L Stevens’ photostream

The long distance trains are perfect where one can travel in comfort in the various accommodations such as the standard fist class and air conditioned (AC) classes such as AC chair-car, AC sleeper-cabins, first-class AC (1A), two-tier AC class (2A), three-tier AC class (3A) and AC executive class. The seats are reserved meaning that no one else can occupy it other than the ticket holder. These are the most comfortable and perhaps the best and safest way to get around India other than air travel.

Would you be able to travel like this?

Further reading

101 travel tips for India
Learn some basic Hindi before you go to India
Maharaja Express

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58 thoughts on “Overcrowding in Indian trains”

  2. Michael, you see the driver of the train when seeing all this people will make an executive decision to drive the train at very low speed. There would be nothing holding them but speed would be low enough to ensure that they do not fall off.

  4. Hi Shalu Ji,

    You have depicted the true picture of Indian Railways. Is is always so crowded, a train journey is never expected to be a pleasant one.
    Thanks for sharing the info. 🙂

    Keep posting.

    Regards

    Jay
    road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/

  5. Hello mam…I do agree that there is a lot of crowd in Indian trains especially local ones. It becomes really difficult for employees and students, especially when they have to reach their respective places in time. Don’t know why the govt. is not taking any steps.

  6. Yeah!! Travel via Train is a great fun as you often come across to exciting places and stations especially the greenery and fields. I have been there in India once when i visited GOA and travelled via train. It is a great fun to be there.

    Regards

  7. Hi Shalu jee

    Most of the local trains carry this type of crowd. People hanging everywhere. At times people have been electrocuted because of high tension wires.I dont know how many countries can boast of such overcrowding?

    Thanks for sharing this info.

    Sapna

  8. This is the truth about Indian trains… they are much better today than they were say 5 years ago. Most of the overcrowding happens in the non/Ac coaches on local routes. The A/C coaches are fairly safe and comfortable.

  9. Hi Shalu ji,

    I am from mumbai i have seen these kind of crowd live.

    When i was new to the city i have to travel a long way for work so for that i have the only option is train because autos are very expensive here.Believe me when i first saw this crowd on platfrom i was littrely got scared.I just left traveling in train after some days.It is so dangerous.

    But i do believe that if someone want to really explore the culture then travelling in train is best,heheh but not local trains there you dont have the space to breath so forget knowing culture and all.

    Thank YOu
    Shorya Bist
    From Youthofest

  10. I was only on a crowded commuter train once, in Mumbai (technically, I was IN the train, not ON it). That was enough for me. The other trains I took were all long distance sleepers, which have some breathing room.

  11. Due to the population, over crowded train is really a matter of concern..Trains are increasing during each and every year, but problem remains the same. You have to book your ticket well in advance to avoid any problem in the journey. This always discourage impulsive travelers like me to travel comfortably and sometimes I have to prefer the buses over the trains, just because of this crowd.

  12. This is very common here in Mumbai local trains. People are very busy & want to reach their place as soon as possible. They take risks for nothing. Another reason is rates of the tickets are very expensive & majority of the people buy the tickets for lowest class.

  13. Hi Shalu Ji,

    Again you have highlighted another good point that need attention from the security prespective as well.

    If you are travelling in AC coached then it is good otherwise there is so much over crowd in other compartments.

    Indian railway is one of the biggest railway network in the world.

    It is one of the most revenue generated source also for Indian Govt but our govt not paying proper attention to improve its condition.

    Getting railway reservation is also an issue now a days as Bookie capture most of the ticket in advance and then normal people have to buy it in black from them.

  15. Wow Shalu, I had to take a look at this post because the image speaks volumes. It reminds me of a similar sight in Africa. I think too many people in the West take things for granted.

  16. Hi Shalu, i must say that when i’ve seen first time how people travel by train in India i was shocked. Many people dies every year because of that, and is true that the population is big and is getting bigger and bigger. There’s no more resources on this planet and to handle this situation is much more harder.

  18. Hello Shalu mam,
    This is mine first visit to shalusharma.com..but frankly speaking i just became your fan..your writing skills is too gud..and beside this..i read couple of post and you just show the reality of india…that what i needed from you..
    I am a indian..but i didnt say complete india yet…i will try to keep in touch with your blog to see how india looks exactly..
    Thanks you and keep posting.. 🙂

  19. Hello Shalu mam,
    This is mine first visit to shalusharma.com..but frankly speaking i just became your fan..your writing skills is too gud..and beside this..i read couple of post and you just show the reality of india…that what i needed from you..
    I am a indian..but i didnt say complete india yet…i will try to keep in touch with your blog to see how india looks exactly..
    Thanks you and keep posting..

  20. No doubt Indian trains, especially local trains, are overcrowded. The railway stations in metropolis like Delhi and Mumbai are always jam-packed. However, the train journeys are the best way to see India if time is not a constraint.

    Michadel do not be afraid.

    Avoid local trains during peak hours and book tickets well in advance for long-distance trains to enjoy the journey.

  24. simply want to tell you that I am new to weblog and definitely liked this blog site. Very likely I’m going to bookmark your blog . You absolutely have wonderful stories. Cheers for sharing with us your blog

  36. You may also become an authorized and registered IRCTC agent to operate for E ticket booking. this license is no offered by Go processing limited for best experiences of all time.<a href

  37. Hi,
    I think India is a high population country. Overcrowding in trains is a normal thing, one can find a lot of people in reserved compartments as well. The only one who can resolve this issue is our railway ministry. There should also reservation system for general compartments as well, once the number of seats in general compartment get filled railways official should stop issuing more tickets.

  40. If you guys have seen nowadays condition of Mumbai locals; you will definitely say God save me. Condition is getting worse day by day and government is not interested in making it better.

  41. In last few years Indian Railway has become improved and it is now online. You can check all the details by visiting the the irctc website. You can check PNR Status to check the reservation status and can keep yourself safe from these troubles. You can also check PNR Status Here:

  42. Government is doing there best to provide each every facilities to passengers. government has too take care of every parameter. they have to enpand railways, provide better facilities to existance passengers and provide innovative technology like live train status.

  43. Actually, Before Few years the condition of Indian Rail was Worst to travel. but After New Government Arrived they take “SWACHA BHARAT MISSION” seriously and the Condition of trains tends to improve day by day.

  46. Really true fact about the Indian railway’s condition. Though gov tries to provide great facilities but not able to utilize it.
    Thanks for sharing such a nice article!!!

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