As the festive season triggers a surge in travel across the country, passengers are lauding Indian Railways for ensuring smooth, clean, and punctual journeys, reflecting efficient management during the holiday rush.
Ravi, a passenger travelling during this busy period, expressed his satisfaction, saying, “My journey was truly pleasant. The arrangements were excellent, the seats were comfortable, and everything was well-organised.”
Similarly, Mukesh Kumar Choubey, travelling from Delhi to Bihar, praised Indian Railways’ efforts. “I’ve been a regular passenger for years, and today’s journey was exceptionally smooth. The railway maintenance team deserves appreciation for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring well-kept onboard facilities,” he said.
Another passenger highlighted the improved cleanliness, safety, and overall upkeep at Jabalpur Railway Station, commending the well-maintained platforms, organised premises, and higher hygiene standards.
A traveller from Bengaluru to Kolkata also praised Indian Railways for its clean coaches, courteous staff, and efficient service despite the festive rush, according to a press release.
Madan Kumar Yadav appreciated the streamlined ticketing process, online booking system, and orderly queueing at the station. He also lauded the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for maintaining vigilance, ensuring passenger safety, and managing seat allocations efficiently during peak travel.
For the ongoing Diwali and Chhath Puja season, Indian Railways has implemented a robust special train schedule to accommodate the festive rush. Over a 61-day period (October 1 to November 30), more than 12,000 special trains are being operated nationwide.
Ahead of Chhath Puja, Indian Railways announced that 1,500 special trains will be operated over the next five days – averaging 300 specials per day – to handle the travel rush, according to the Ministry of Railways.
In addition to regular services, the Railways operated 4,493 special train trips over the past 21 days, averaging 213 trips per day, enabling passengers to reach home safely for Diwali celebrations.
So far, 11,865 trips (916 trains) have been notified – including 9,338 reserved and 2,203 unreserved trips – marking a significant rise from last year’s 7,724 Puja and Diwali specials, underscoring the Railways’ continued commitment to providing seamless travel during the festive season.
On October 19, Indian Railways handled over 36,000 passengers at Udhna Station, a 50 per cent increase compared to the same day in 2024. All passengers boarded trains by 4 PM, allowing them to reach home in time for Diwali. To manage the surge, authorities set up dedicated holding areas, additional ticket counters, and deployed staff for crowd control. Over the last five days, more than 1.2 lakh people travelled from Udhna alone.
(ANI)