Indian Railways has rolled out 7,663 additional special trains to accommodate the surge in passenger demand during the festival season, running from October 1 to November 30. This marks a 73% increase in train services compared to the same period last year, a Railway Board statement said.
The extra services have been introduced to manage the Pooja, Diwali, and Chhath rush of 2024. In total, 7,663 special trains have been arranged, up from 4,429 last year.
During the Diwali and Chhath celebrations from October 24 to November 4, Indian Railways carried 957.24 lakh non-suburban passengers. This is a significant rise compared to the 923.33 lakh passengers transported during the same period in 2023, reflecting an increase of 33.91 lakh passengers.
On November 4 alone, over 1.2 crore passengers traveled on the network, including 19.43 lakh reserved and more than 1 crore unreserved non-suburban travelers. This set a new record for the highest single-day passenger count for the year. To manage this surge, 207 special trains were operated on November 3, followed by 203 on November 4.
The Railway Board's announcement follows several social media posts highlighting overcrowding in trains, with some passengers seen attempting to board through windows. In response, Indian Railways emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety of all passengers during the busy festival period.
"Transporting people across India during Diwali and Chhath is challenging, but after successfully managing similar operations during Navratri and Durga Puja, Indian Railways is fully prepared to help commuters reach their destinations for these celebrations," the statement added.
Passengers have also been urged to report any suspicious items at railway stations by contacting the Railway Protection Force (RPF) through the helpline 139 or the RailMadad portal. Since October 15, Indian Railways has implemented enhanced luggage inspections and parcel checks, as well as monitoring vendors using portable stoves to prevent fire risks.
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