Massive rush of passengers for trains for Chhath festival
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, November 14: A passenger died during stampede at Surat railway station as the crowd snuffed out his life while he pushed to board a Bihar-bound train to celebrate Chhath festival at home. The Railways hurriedly announced cancellation of platform ticket bookings for a week as a response to avoid stampede like situations at several stations.
Passengers are posting videos of railway platforms jam-packed with passengers while rail compartments are seen to have no space to even put feet properly. The passengers in the videos posted on the social media platforms can be seen cramped in compartments, one over another. The passengers are even complaining that even reserved berths are gone to accommodate the massive crowd flooding the trains.
“PNR 8900276502…Indian Railways Worst management…Thanks for ruining my Diwali. This is what you get even when you have a confirmed 3rd AC ticket. No help from Police. Many people like me were not able to board. I want a total refund of ₹1173.95,” posted Ansul Sharma, who allegedly could not board a train to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh from Bandra, Mumbai.
Amulya Sinha, another social media user, posted on X in a message to Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnav, saying: “We don’t need Vande Bharat. What we require is simple general class trains to Bihar. How can’t the so called class 1 officer from department couldn’t anticipate this.. .it is one of the world largest congregations people for the festival”.
Pictures being circulated on social media show even women attempting to enter into the rail compartments through windows. Group of people could be seen hanging from the entrance to train bogies in Bihar and eastern UP bound trains.
Chhath is a major festival in Bihar and eastern UP. The Ministry of Railways lately announced 75 special trains for Bihar from several destinations. Yet, the Railways appears to have been caught unprepared to deal with the massive rush of the passengers in the Bihar bound trains.
Railway stations at Anand Vihar, Old Delhi, New Delhi wear looks of wave of the people moving to catch their respective trains. One user on Twitter with name of Mona Lisa claimed “no one (has) taken action to help passenger(s), due to rush, I have missed my train 12802 on 11th Nov and no alternate options provided to Reach Dehri-On-Sone (Bihar). I got injuries, how much fine will be suitable for Railways”.
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