Firozpur Division Launches 15 Special Trains for Diwali Rush
Northern Railway's Firozpur Division introduces 15 pairs of special trains for Diwali and Chhath Puja to manage the festive travel rush.
To manage the massive influx of passengers during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivities, the Firozpur Division of Northern Railway has announced the introduction of 15 pairs of special trains. These services are specifically designed to facilitate smoother travel toward eastern India, with a total of 98 trips planned to accommodate the holiday surge.
Strategic Routes and Train Operations
The special train services will originate from several key stations across the division to ensure maximum connectivity. The breakdown of the new services is as follows:
- Amritsar: 5 pairs of special trains
- Ludhiana: 6 pairs of special trains
- Firozpur Cantt: 2 pairs of special trains
- Jalandhar City: 1 pair of special trains
- Chheharta: 1 pair of special trains
In addition to these special services, 16 regularly scheduled trains are also operating toward the eastern region as part of the division's comprehensive festive travel plan.
Boosting Passenger Capacity
Recognizing the high demand for comfortable travel, railway officials have taken steps to increase coach availability. Specifically, two additional 3AC coaches have been added to the following trains:
- Train No. 04616: Firozpur Cantt–Patna
- Train No. 04668: Amritsar–Barauni
Authorities have indicated that if the passenger demand continues to escalate, more special trains may be introduced in the coming days.
Enhanced Station Facilities and Crowd Management
To prevent overcrowding and ensure passenger comfort, significant infrastructure adjustments have been made at major stations. Approximately 3,700 square meters of temporary waiting areas are being constructed at Amritsar, Jalandhar City, Ludhiana, and Dhandari Kalan stations.
Ludhiana station has also undergone upgrades, including the opening of an additional entry gate on the multi-level car parking side. This new entrance is equipped with dedicated ticket counters and seating areas to streamline passenger movement.
To assist travelers, the division has deployed:
- Extra ticket counters and help desks
- Additional inquiry staff at major junctions
- Increased security through Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel
Safety and 24/7 Monitoring
"We are conducting 24/7 monitoring through control rooms and dedicated 'war rooms' at major stations to ensure smooth operations," stated Sanjeev Kumar, the Divisional Railway Manager.
Passengers are strongly advised to use the UTS mobile application for booking tickets to avoid long queues. Furthermore, officials have urged travelers to remain patient during the rush and strictly refrain from carrying any inflammable items on board to ensure the safety of all passengers.