250 special trains ready to clear extra rush of passengers for Diwali celebrations
250 special trains ready to clear extra rush of passengers for Diwali celebrations
As the joyous Diwali celebrations kick off across India, the Western Railway (WR) has announced the launch of 200 special trains to accommodate travelers during the Diwali and Chhath Puja festive season. On Tuesday, October 29, more than 120 of these trains will be operational, as confirmed by the Indian Railways.
Among these, approximately 40 trains will be operated by the Mumbai Division, with 22 of them specifically heading towards popular destinations in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha.
The Indian Railways has stated that these special train services are designed to supplement the regular train operations, with additional coaches being added to meet the increased demand from passengers during this festive time.
Kind Attention to All Passengers!
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) October 28, 2024
Here’s the list of Festival Special Trains set to operate on 29th October 2024. pic.twitter.com/NiJtg01gcj
According to a recent press release from Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, “This is part of our commitment to meet the rising passenger demand during this vibrant time.” He further explained, “We are closely monitoring these additional services from both divisional and headquarters levels, coordinated by our senior officers, with daily real-time checks on train waitlists.” This highlights the railway’s dedication to ensuring a smooth travel experience for all passengers during the festive season.
1) Eastern Railways to Operate 50 Extra Trains
On Monday, Eastern Railways announced that it will run 50 special trains and offer 400 additional services during the Diwali and Chhath Puja celebrations. Kaushik Mitra, the Public Relations Officer for Eastern Railways, stated that this year, the number of special trains has increased from 33 to 50. “Eastern Railway is running more trains this year than last year for this festive season,” Mitra noted, highlighting the commitment to accommodate the rising passenger demand.
2) Railways on High Alert After Bandra Stampede
In response to the unfortunate stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra station, Indian Railways has implemented heightened safety measures and maximum staff deployment at critical high-traffic stations, including Bandra Terminus, Surat, Udhna, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. Additionally, platform sales have been temporarily restricted at major stations in the Mumbai Division until November 8, 2024. This includes Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vasai Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, and Surat. These actions are intended to manage crowding and ensure the smooth movement of passengers within the station areas.
3) Efficient Crowd Management at Key Railway Stations
Vineet Abhishek highlighted that Western Railways is taking proactive measures to manage crowds effectively at major stations. A large holding area of 370 sq. m has been created at Bandra Terminus to accommodate up to 600 passengers, featuring good lighting, fans, water fountains, toilets, and a public announcement system for train updates. Similar areas are also available at Udhna and Surat stations, with an additional waiting space near Platform No. 4 at Surat.
To assist passengers, 50 licensed helpers are deployed in shifts between Surat and Udhna, and clear information banners about special trains are displayed throughout the stations. Dedicated staff are present at all entry and exit points at Udhna. To handle the increased passenger traffic during the festive season, extra ticket counters and ATVM machines have been installed at Bandra Terminus, Surat, and Udhna, along with additional shifts at Vapi and Valsad stations.
