Train travelers across India witnessed improved punctuality in 2024, with national train delays dropping by 8% compared to 2023. According to data aggregated from RailYatri, the median delay reduced from 20 minutes to 18 minutes, reflecting a positive trend for train travel nationwide.
Several states saw significant reductions in delays, notably Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Gujarat, where punctuality improved by 32%, 20%, and 19%, respectively. In Uttarakhand, the median delay dropped to just 10 minutes, while Gujarat followed closely with a median delay of 11 minutes. On the other hand, states such as West Bengal, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu experienced increases in delays, with West Bengal seeing a 16% rise, pushing the average delay to 48 minutes.
Train travelers faced varying delays depending on the train type. While Humsafar Express still reported the highest average delay of 55 minutes, it showed a significant 22% improvement over 2023. Shatabdi Express, known for its reliability, recorded a 10% reduction in delays, with a median delay of only 10 minutes. Conversely, delays on India’s modern Vande Bharat trains increased by 21%, although they remained the most punctual overall, with an average delay of just 17 minutes.
Key stations across India also showed mixed results. Ahmedabad recorded a 21% improvement in delays, with median delays dropping to just 7 minutes. Chennai Central and New Delhi saw reductions of 11% and 7%, respectively. However, Kolkata Howrah witnessed a sharp 28% rise in delays, with average delays soaring to 88 minutes.
While challenges persist in some regions and train categories, the overall reduction in delays marks a significant step forward for train travelers in India, improving reliability and convenience for millions nationwide.
