With passenger numbers rising sharply ahead of the Chhath festival, the Railways has made additional arrangements to help people reach their hometowns without difficulty. North Eastern Railway plans to operate 214 special trains, covering a total of 2,044 trips, to manage the festive rush.
Every year, thousands of people working in major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai travel to Bihar and Purvanchal to celebrate Chhath with their families. This leads to heavy crowds at railway stations and inside trains. To handle the additional rush, the Railways has arranged extra services and strengthened facilities and security at important stations.
214 Special Trains and Additional Passenger Facilities
North Eastern Railway has planned 214 special trains with 2,044 trips to accommodate the increased number of passengers during the festival.
The objective is to reduce overcrowding and make travel more convenient for people returning home for Chhath. Along with additional train services, the Railways has also taken steps to improve passenger facilities at stations.
Sumit Kumar, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Eastern Railway, said that a large number of people travel during the Chhath festival. Keeping this movement in mind, additional trains and necessary facilities have been arranged for passengers.
Railway Stations Under Enhanced Security
Security arrangements have also been strengthened to manage the festive rush and protect passengers.
Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed at important locations. Bihar Police personnel are also assisting with security arrangements.
CCTV cameras are being used for round-the-clock monitoring at railway stations so that suspicious activities can be identified and addressed quickly.
Regular Trains Continue to Face Heavy Crowds
Despite the operation of special trains, several regular services are still experiencing overcrowding.
The Bagh Express, which runs between Kathgodam and Howrah via Gorakhpur and Siwan, is among the trains facing heavy passenger pressure. Due to the rush, some passengers are reportedly forced to stand near train doors and toilets during their journey.
RPF and GRP personnel are managing passenger movement when the train reaches stations. They are helping arriving passengers get off safely while ensuring that those waiting to board can enter the train in an organised manner.
Important Safety Instructions for Chhath Passengers
The Railways has urged passengers to remain careful while travelling during the festival rush. Travellers should avoid boarding or getting off a train while it is moving and should check their train’s schedule and running status before leaving for the station.
Passengers are also advised to follow railway staff instructions and take extra care while moving through crowded platforms.
These arrangements are aimed at managing the increased passenger movement during Chhath and helping people complete their journey home safely and comfortably.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the information provided about railway arrangements for the Chhath festival. Train operations, schedules and security arrangements may change depending on operational requirements. Passengers should check the latest updates through official railway sources before starting their journey.