Post-Chhath travel rush: Railway’s special arrangements as station crowds surge

The two enormously celebrated great grand festivals, Diwali and Chhath have come to an end. Therefore, people working in other states have started returning to their workplaces. Due to this, there is a huge crowd at railway stations and bus stands.

There is a long queue at the ticket counter of the stations, and many are buying tickets on Tatkal. People are worried about not getting a confirmed ticket or seats on the train. However, railways are claiming to run many special trains.

Fare being charged between Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,000

For the celebration of the grand festival Chhath, many people went back to their homes in Bihar. But now they are worried about getting back. Tickets or trains going back from Bihar are unavailable, and people are traveling in general compartments. Which has caused overcrowding in these compartments.

To avoid the train crowds, some are turning to buses. The fare for buses traveling from Bihar to other states is increasing rapidly. It is reported that private buses from Patna to Lucknow are charging between Rs 2,800 to Rs 3,000. Some people are planning to return after four or five days to avoid the rush.

446 Trains Running for Long-Distance Travel

Railways have made special arrangements to manage the crowds. East Central Railway has announced that special trains are being run from various stations. According to Saraswati Chandra, the Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, 446 long-distance special trains will operate between November 8 and November 22.

On Friday, 35 special trains left from stations like Barauni, Darbhanga, Danapur, Gaya, Jayanagar, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Raxaul, Saharsa, Samastipur, and others, traveling to different parts of the country.

The PRO of East Central Railway, Saraswati Chandra, claimed that crowd management arrangements have been made at all major stations. He also mentioned that strict security measures are being taken.

In coordination with the state government, home guards have been deployed at various stations.