Bilaspur Zone: Extra Coaches & War Room for Diwali-Chhath Rush
Bilaspur Railway Zone launches 24-hour war room and extra coaches for Shalimar-LTT Express to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja travel surge.

The South East Central Railway's Bilaspur Railway Zone has launched a massive operational crackdown to manage the expected surge in passenger traffic during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. To ensure smooth transit and passenger safety, authorities have implemented a high-tech, data-driven strategy to handle the festive rush.
24/7 Digital War Room for Real-Time Monitoring
In a major move to enhance surveillance, the Bilaspur Zone has established a 24-hour digital war room. This command center is tasked with providing real-time monitoring of train operations and crowd levels across 28 key stations within the network. By tracking passenger density in real-time, officials can better manage station congestion and ensure operational efficiency throughout the festive period.
Extra Coaches Added to Shalimar-LTT Express
To address the high demand for confirmed travel, the railway has announced a significant boost for the Shalimar-LTT Express (Train No. 18030/18029). Authorities have added extra AC-3 and sleeper class coaches to this service, providing more confirmed berths for passengers traveling during the holiday season.
Puja Special Trains and Faster Ticketing
To further accommodate the seasonal influx, several Puja Special trains have been introduced across the zone. Additionally, to minimize waiting times and reduce overcrowding at booking windows, the railway has deployed extra ticket counters at various stations to facilitate quicker transactions for travelers.
Infrastructure Management and Gate Closures
As part of the strategic planning for the season, the Robertson Railway Gate is scheduled to remain closed for a duration of three days. This closure is intended to allow for essential infrastructure management, ensuring that the railway network remains stable and safe during the peak travel window.