1,702 special trains to run for Bihar-bound travelers during Diwali
Indian Railways is gearing up for an unprecedented crowd this festive season, with about 20 lakh people expected to travel to Bihar from October 25.
Diwali, Chhath Puja, and Bihar's assembly elections are all happening at once, so trains from big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai bound for Bihar are in huge demand.
To keep things moving, the Central Railway has rolled out a whopping 1,702 special trains.
Most of these special trains are running on busy routes
Most of these special trains are running on busy routes to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Plus, regular trains now have extra coaches squeezed in to fit more passengers.
Major stations have set up holding zones
Major stations—think Surat—have set up holding zones so people aren't stuck waiting on packed platforms.
More ticket counters are open now and extra security is helping manage lines that sometimes stretch for two kilometers.
It's all part of a big effort to make sure everyone gets home safely during this hectic week.
This huge migration shows just how intense India's travel rush
This huge migration shows just how intense India's travel rush gets during festivals and elections.
Even with extra trains and security measures in place, the system is under serious pressure—reminding us how important (and challenging) it is to keep millions moving across the country when everyone wants to be home at once.