Can A Train Carry Only One Passenger? Check What Railways Rules Say – News18

Travelling on the Indian Railways is something that we have all experienced but still, several aspects of the system remain unknown. A recent query on the online platform Quora has sparked interest: “Can a train operate with just one passenger?” This question has garnered significant attention on social media, with users expressing their thoughts and insights. But what grabbed the attention was one user providing a detailed explanation by citing an old incident. Let’s take a closer look at what Indian Railways rules say about the subject.

Generally, a general class coach on Indian Railways can accommodate around 250-300 passengers, while premium trains like Rajdhani and Shatabdi usually have approximately 72 seats per coach. Sleeper class coaches also tend to have around 72 seats. But an unusual incident occurred in September 2020 when a Rajdhani Express had just one passenger on board. Indian Railways agreed to the passenger’s request and operated the train solely for her. She completed a 535-kilometre journey and arrived in Ranchi at 1:45 a.m.

The Rajdhani Express en route to Ranchi faced an unexpected stop at Daltonganj railway station due to a ‘Tana Bhagats’ protest. With just 308 kilometres left to Ranchi, the train had 930 passengers on board. In response, Indian Railways organised buses and transported 929 passengers to Ranchi. But a determined passenger named Ananya Choudhary refused to leave the train. Despite officials’ persistent efforts to persuade her, she remained resolute, stating, “I will only travel by the Rajdhani Express. If I wanted to take a bus, why would I have purchased a train ticket?” Eventually, even the authorities had to yield to her unwavering insistence.

The train received clearance to proceed to Ranchi with just a single passenger on board after it was confirmed that the railway track was clear. As per railway regulations, when passengers insist on travelling on the same train, the railways must comply. Such situations are uncommon, with most passengers opting for alternative solutions. This incident marked a remarkable event in Indian Railways history, as the Rajdhani Express covered a 535-kilometre journey exclusively for a single passenger.