18,000 Special Trains for Diwali and Chhath Rush
Indian Railways to run 18,000 special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja to manage the massive festive rush across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Railways is gearing up for a massive festive season by announcing the deployment of approximately 18,000 special trains. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that these services will be operational to manage the heavy passenger surge expected during Durga Puja, Diwali, and the Chhath festival.
This massive scale-up marks a significant increase compared to the previous year, where roughly 12,000 special trains were operated during the same festive period.
Data-Driven Strategy for High Demand
To ensure maximum efficiency, the deployment of these services relies on a data-driven analysis of passenger demand trends. This strategic approach allows the ministry to accurately determine the most effective routes, schedules, and train frequencies to meet traveler needs.
The special services are primarily designed to facilitate travel between major metropolitan hubs and high-volume states, including:
- Bihar
- Uttar Pradesh
- West Bengal
The scale of travel is immense, with estimates suggesting that nearly 20 million (2 crore) passengers will travel from the Delhi region alone during this festive window.
AI-Powered Safety and Crowd Management
To handle the massive influx of commuters, Indian Railways has implemented advanced crowd management protocols at 20 major stations, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Udhna. Key safety and convenience measures include:
- AI-Enabled Monitoring: The installation of over 700 AI-enabled cameras to monitor passenger movement and prevent overcrowding.
- Improved Passenger Flow: The creation of dedicated holding areas and the relocation of ticket counters to expedite movement.
- Standby Resources: Positioning standby train rakes at strategic locations, such as Shakur Basti, to address sudden surges in demand.
This festive initiative is part of a broader upward trend in capacity, with the railway network expecting to exceed 80,000 total special train services throughout the current financial year.