Chhath Puja Rush: Delhi Stations Packed for Bihar Travel
Massive crowds at New Delhi and Anand Vihar stations as travelers head to Bihar for Chhath Puja. Special trains and AI cameras deployed.
Major railway hubs in the national capital, including New Delhi and Anand Vihar, are witnessing an intense surge in passenger numbers. As travelers prepare to head to Bihar for the Chhath Puja festivities, the stations have become heavily congested, with many passengers struggling to navigate the crowds.
The demand for travel on the Delhi-Bihar corridor has reached extreme levels. Official data indicates that waiting lists for several key routes have soared past 300, reflecting the massive volume of commuters attempting to reach their destinations for the festival.
Special Trains Deployed to Manage Festive Demand
To mitigate the pressure on the existing network, Indian Railways is operating approximately 18,000 special trains across the country. Specifically, the Northern Railway has introduced several festival special services to enhance connectivity for those traveling from Delhi to major Bihar destinations.
Key service updates include:
- Direct Connectivity: Special services are running from New Delhi and Anand Vihar to major hubs such as Patna, Gaya, and Muzaffarpur.
- Long-Distance Support: A special one-way train from Kanyakumari to Barauni has been introduced to bolster the supply of available seats.
High-Tech Security and Crowd Management Measures
In response to the surge, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and senior officials have been conducting regular reviews to maintain security, punctuality, and the availability of essential passenger amenities. Authorities have implemented several advanced measures to manage the influx of people and ensure safety.
To maintain order at the stations, the following steps have been taken:
- AI-Powered Monitoring: Over 700 AI-enabled cameras are now active at the New Delhi Railway Station, providing real-time monitoring of crowd density.
- Crowd Regulation: 'Yatri Suvidha Kendras' have been established at major hubs to regulate platform access and assist travelers.
- Enhanced Security Presence: There is an increased deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel across the Delhi-NCR region to monitor the stations.
- Streamlined Processes: Authorities have also streamlined baggage scanning processes to prevent bottlenecks.
Tips for a Smoother Journey
To avoid long queues at manual ticket counters, officials are urging passengers to utilize digital platforms such as IRCTC, UTS, and RailOne.
Travelers are also strongly advised to confirm their booking status and check updated timetables before arriving at the station to avoid unnecessary inconvenience during this busy festive period.