Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday said that Indian Railways has made comprehensive arrangements to manage the festive rush, including setting up dedicated holding areas at around 30 stations across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh for passenger convenience.
Addressing the ongoing travel surge during the Chhath festival, Vaishnaw informed that more than 12,000 special trains have been planned in addition to regular services to accommodate passenger demand. So far, around 1.6 crore passengers have travelled through these special trains, with a similar number expected during the return journeys after the festival.
The minister said that the Railway team has worked systematically to handle the sudden surge of travellers during the festive season. “We have ensured smooth operations through the use of holding areas, CCTV surveillance, handheld Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), and better passenger movement patterns,” he stated.
Extending his greetings on the occasion of Chhath Puja, Vaishnaw highlighted that the special holding areas at key stations in North Bihar and the Purvanchal region are helping passengers sit comfortably and enter the stations in an organised manner.
Passengers praise Indian Railways for effective management
Passengers across various stations have praised Indian Railways for effective planning, improved cleanliness, and an enhanced travel experience.
At New Delhi Railway Station, a passenger lauded the efficient management and high cleanliness standards, while another at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Junction said that special trains made it easier to obtain confirmed tickets during the festive rush.
A traveller from New Delhi to Chhapra expressed gratitude for the confirmed tickets, sharing that he was travelling home with his sister to celebrate Chhath. At Bhagalpur, passengers appreciated the festive atmosphere, mentioning that Chhath songs being played at the station added to the celebrations.
In Pune, passengers praised the well-organised holding areas equipped with water, fans, and comfortable seating arrangements. Similarly, at Anand Vihar Terminal, travellers appreciated the smooth boarding experience enabled by coordinated queues, while at Raipur Junction, passengers noted that the holding area facilities greatly eased congestion.
Indian Railways, with its vast network and dedicated workforce, continues to uphold its commitment to serving passengers with efficiency and care. From running additional trains to ensuring cleanliness, safety, and punctuality, every effort is being made to provide a smooth travel experience during the festive rush. The proactive measures and dedication of Railway staff reflect the organisation’s resolve to make festive journeys safe, reliable, and well-coordinated across the country.