Western Railway Deploys 70+ Special Trains for Diwali Rush
Western Railway launches over 70 special trains from Surat and Udhna to manage the massive Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger surge.
Udhna Railway Station in Surat is currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in passenger traffic as commuters prepare to travel home for the festive season. To manage the heavy demand, Western Railway special trains are being deployed to assist travelers heading towards Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.
The rush has been so intense that many commuters reported waiting in long queues for up to 12 hours just to secure boarding. Between November 1 and November 6, 2026, the station processed more than 105,000 passengers through 43 special train services.
Massive Fleet of Special Trains Announced
To tackle the extreme overcrowding and ease the travel burden, Western Railway has announced a significant boost in services. The railway administration will operate over 70 special trains originating from the Surat and Udhna cluster.
In total, approximately 250 special train trips are scheduled to run from these two stations throughout the October and November festive period to accommodate the heavy demand.
Safety Measures and Parcel Booking Suspension
In a move to prioritize passenger safety and manage station congestion, Western Railway has implemented strict protocols. All inward and outward parcel booking and handling at both Surat and Udhna stations have been suspended from November 5 through November 15, 2026.
Infrastructure Upgrades for Crowd Management
To handle the massive crowds, several infrastructure improvements have been rolled out at the station:
- Yatri Seva Kendra: A new passenger holding area capable of accommodating up to 20,000 people.
- Ticketing Facilities: 10 additional ticket windows have been opened to reduce wait times.
- Enhanced Communication: An upgraded announcement system featuring 150 speakers.
- Surveillance: 70 high-definition CCTV cameras are being monitored via a dedicated 'war room'.
Furthermore, large contingents of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed to maintain order, supervise queues, and ensure that passengers can board their trains in an orderly manner.