Indian Railways Adds 195 Special Trains for Chhath Puja Festive Rush

Indian Railways has implemented extensive measures to accommodate passengers traveling for Chhath Puja, running 195 special trains over a 13-day period from the Delhi area to ease the festive rush, according to Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar. This initiative, aimed at facilitating safe and convenient travel, also included interactions between Kumar and passengers to address concerns and ensure a smooth journey.

The Railway Board confirmed on Friday that special trains would operate nationwide to enable travelers to reach their hometowns for the festival. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity for the Railway Board, detailed the operation, noting that over 160 trains ran on Thursday, with more than 170 planned for Sunday. He added that key stations such as New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Ahmedabad, Surat, Baroda, Mumbai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru are equipped with additional resources to handle the increased passenger volume.

In response to the high demand for travel to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh during this period, extra coaches have been added to many trains. Additionally, comprehensive security measures, including the deployment of Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, are in place to maintain crowd control. Rail Sewaks are also present at stations to assist travelers, especially senior citizens and those with disabilities. Hundreds of CCTV cameras have been installed for enhanced monitoring of passenger movement, ensuring security and smooth transit.

For booking, both online and offline options are available. Passengers without confirmed tickets are given access to unreserved seats to accommodate the surge in travelers. To ensure a smoother experience, measures to limit unnecessary movement within stations are being enforced, with Rail Sewaks assisting where needed.

Chhath Puja, primarily observed in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar, is a deeply revered Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God, marking a time for devotees to express gratitude for life’s sustenance on Earth. The special arrangements by Indian Railways underscore the importance of this festival and reflect their commitment to providing accessible and efficient travel options for celebrants across the country.