Prayagraj. At a time when discussions around a national census often highlight the importance of accurate data for governance, Indian Railways is set to undertake a similar large-scale exercise for its own system. In what officials describe as a “census of trains and coaches”, the Railways will carry out its biggest nationwide counting drive in nearly a decade on May 12, from 10 am to 6 pm, simultaneously across the country.Planned by the Railway Board, the exercise aims to address discrepancies that have emerged due to the absence of a systematic count over the past 10 years. A key focus will be on identifying missing coaches that may have moved between zones but were never officially recorded as returned, leading to gaps in railway records.To ensure smooth execution, a nationwide mock drill will be conducted — probably on May 5 — to identify and resolve any technical or operational issues in advance. Preparations are already underway across all zones, including the North Central Railway headquartered in Prayagraj. Senior officials recently held a video conference to review strategies, with emphasis on the use of advanced technology and digital data entry systems.Officials said the exercise will go beyond counting and will generate a comprehensive database of coaches. It will cover major stations such as Prayagraj, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Mathura, Jhansi, Moradabad, Bareilly, Meerut, Saharanpur, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Nagar, Ambala, Delhi, Chandigarh and Jammu, along with railway yards where idle coaches are stationed.A total of 32 key parameters will be documented, including manufacturing date, original railway zone, current operational location and duration of service in a particular division. The exercise will also assess the condition of coaches, identify defects, and determine whether damaged coaches can be repaired or need replacement, along with estimating maintenance costs.According to NCR’s Chief Public Relations Officer Shashikant Tripathi, the initiative will provide an accurate inventory of railway assets and help in planning future procurement and refurbishment. Much like a population census guides national policy, this exercise is expected to help Indian Railways streamline operations and strengthen long-term planning.= = = =
