Summer Rush Strains Mumbai Train Passengers’ Pockets as Demand Surges

Despite Indian Railways’ announcement of 9,111 summer special trains this year, a surge in demand for long-distance routes has left passengers grappling with inflated ticket prices. 

Premium tatkal tickets are either sold out or waitlisted, prompting ticketing agents to charge exorbitant fares. For instance, a regular 3AC ticket on the Bandra Terminus-Gorakhpur Avadh Express costs ₹1,900, while a premium tatkal waitlisted ticket fetches ₹2,320. With agents offering confirmed tickets, passengers are shelling out up to ₹4,000 for a 3AC berth.

With this week considered auspicious for weddings, the demand for train tickets to North Indian states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has peaked. Passengers, desperate for confirmed tickets, are willing to pay any amount. Trains to Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Patna, and Prayagraj from Central and Western Railways are operating at full capacity.

Ticket booking agents are scrambling to secure confirmed tickets amidst the surge in demand. However, the situation has led to chaos at stations like Surat and Udhna, where over 15,000 passengers boarded long-distance trains in a single day. 

Many passengers, even with valid tickets, have been unable to travel due to overcrowding on trains and platforms.

Indian Railways has responded to the situation by increasing the number of summer special trains, with more than 2,300 trains operating from Central Railway and Western Railway. This marks a significant rise from the 6,369 trips offered in the summer of 2023. 

Railway officials are stationed at stations to monitor crowds and regulate train operations systematically, demonstrating the commitment to meeting passenger demands.