18,000 Special Trains to Handle Festive Rush Across India
Indian Railways to run a record 18,000 special trains for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja to manage the massive festive passenger surge.
Indian Railways has announced a massive expansion in its festive operations, confirming the deployment of a record 18,000 special trains. This strategic move is designed to accommodate the heavy influx of passengers traveling for Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja. This year's deployment marks a significant jump from the 12,000 special trains operated during the same period last year.
Massive Boost Over Last Year
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected the preparations at the New Delhi Railway Station on November 6. During his visit, he noted that approximately 20 million people are expected to travel by rail from the Delhi region alone during this festive season. To handle this unprecedented demand, the Railways has significantly increased its fleet of special services and improved station infrastructure.
AI and Infrastructure to Manage Crowds
To ensure passenger safety and efficient crowd management, the Railways has implemented several high-tech and infrastructural upgrades:
- AI Surveillance: Over 700 Artificial Intelligence (AI) cameras have been installed at key stations for real-time monitoring and crowd control.
- Special Holding Areas: Twenty major stations have been equipped with specialized holding areas capable of accommodating 20,000 passengers. These areas feature improved ventilation, upgraded restroom facilities, and relocated ticket counters.
- Standby Rakes: As a contingency measure, six train rakes are kept on standby at the Shakur Basti depot to address sudden spikes in passenger demand.
New Routes and Enhanced Security
The Railways has introduced several new weekly and daily special services to connect various states. Notable new services include:
- A new weekly special train between Khatipura (Jaipur) and Patna, starting November 9.
- Enhanced services on the Delhi-Gorakhpur corridor.
- New services on the Anand Vihar-Chhapra corridor.
Security has also been tightened with increased deployment of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the installation of additional scanning counters at stations to enhance passenger safety. Officials have advised all passengers to verify their train schedules and status through official railway channels before starting their journey.