Shruti Suman
As the festive fervor of Diwali continues and the anticipation for Chhath Puja rises, Indian Railways has pressed the pause button on selling platform tickets at the New Delhi and Anand Vihar railway stations. This strategic move aims to steer through the bustling wave of passengers and instill better order on the platforms. The hiatus in platform ticket sales is set from Monday (November 13) to Saturday (November 18), following the directive from the Northern Railways.
During festivities, the rush toward railway stations skyrockets, leading to chaotic stampedes, unfortunate casualties, and severe injuries.
An episode in Surat, Gujarat, painted a vivid picture of the frenzy as a swarm of people converged at the railway station before the Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, resulting in a tragic incident where a man in his forties lost his life and two others sustained injuries while boarding a special train bound for Bihar.
The Superintendent of Police (Western Railway), Sarjo Kumari, shared insights, “Passengers hurried to board the Tapti Ganga Express at Surat railway station, causing a frenzy and resulting in people fainting.” The overwhelming rush triggered panic and dizziness among several passengers.
To ease the journey for travelers during this festive season, the Indian Railways has arranged for 32 special trains, including the Vande Bharat, operating between New Delhi and Patna via Kanpur. Additionally, the schedule of some trains has been beefed up to manage the festive rush.
These special trains encompass a diverse range, spanning superfast, AC, reserved, unreserved, and Rajdhani services. Stops are planned at Fatehpur, Bilhaur, Etawah, Govindpur, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, and Manikpur, with the aim of accommodating a larger number of passengers during this bustling period.
NI Bureau
