Bhopal Diwali Special Trains: 20 Extra Services for Festive Rush
Bhopal Railway Division deploys 20 special trains and AI surveillance to manage the massive Diwali passenger surge exceeding 1 lakh daily.
To manage the massive surge in travelers, the Bhopal Railway Division has introduced 20 Bhopal Diwali special trains to accommodate the heavy festive passenger traffic.
Unprecedented Passenger Influx
Station authorities have reported a significant spike in daily commuters. While the typical daily average is approximately 60,000 passengers, the current footfall has soared past the 1 lakh mark. This substantial increase has prompted the administration to implement rigorous crowd control and security measures to ensure smooth operations.
High-Tech Security and Crowd Management
To ensure passenger safety and maintain order during the peak season, the division has deployed several advanced measures:
- Increased Manpower: 30 additional security personnel have been deployed to manage the crowds at stations.
- AI Surveillance: The use of 18 high-tech surveillance systems, featuring AI-powered and facial recognition cameras, to monitor station activity.
- Orderly Movement: Distinct entry and exit points have been established to facilitate smoother passenger flow and prevent congestion.
- Joint Monitoring: Teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the Commercial Department are actively monitoring the premises to prevent overcrowding.
National Scale Festive Preparedness
The festive rush is being addressed on a national level as well. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Indian Railways is operating 18,000 special trains for the festive period, covering Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath. This is a significant increase from the 12,000 special trains operated during the same period last year.
"Across the country, 700 AI-enabled cameras have been installed at key stations, and dedicated holding areas have been created at approximately 20 major hubs to handle peak capacity."
As of Chhoti Diwali on November 7, 2026, officials reported that passenger traffic had largely stabilized. The administration remains focused on maintaining seamless operations throughout the remainder of the holiday season.