Chhath Puja Special Trains: Railway platforms become extremely crowded during the festive season. To manage this, Indian Railways has put extensive plans in place. Specifically, Indian Railways has made special arrangements for those travelling home for the Chhath festival, and has decided to operate 214 special trains that will complete a total of 2,044 trips. The primary objective is to ensure that passengers travelling home for the festival do not face significant difficulties and can enjoy a safe journey.
As many people return home from other states and cities for Chhath, railway stations and trains are expected to be highly congested. In response, the railways have not only introduced extra trains but have also enhanced various facilities at the stations.
Strict Security at Stations
During the festive period, the authorities have paid special attention to passenger safety. Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed, with additional support from the Bihar police force. Furthermore, CCTV cameras are monitoring stations to ensure that personnel can take immediate action in the event of any suspicious activity. According to Railway Public Relations Officer Sumit Kumar, a large number of people return home for the Chhath festival, which is why the Railways has increased train services.
Crowding in Regular Trains
Despite the operation of special trains, regular trains remain heavily crowded. For instance, the Bagh Express—which runs from Kathgodam to Howrah via Gorakhpur and Siwan—is experiencing significant overcrowding, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers. At stations, RPF and GRP personnel are managing the situation, ensuring that passengers can board and disembark safely.
Railway’s Appeal to Passengers
The number of passengers increases significantly during the Chhath festival, leading to greater crowding. Passengers are advised to exercise caution while boarding or alighting from trains. Please do not attempt to board or disembark from a moving train; it is essential to verify the train’s schedule and current status before your journey. The Railways have put these measures in place to manage passenger crowds during the festive season and ensure that travellers reach home safely.