Every year when Diwali and Chhath Puja come around, millions of people start packing their bags to head home. This time, Indian Railways has pulled out all the stops to make sure everyone gets there without a hitch. With more than 12,000 extra trains rolling out and a massive team of 12 lakh workers on duty day and night, the journey back after the celebrations looks just as easy as the trip out.
Extra Trains Keep the Crowds Moving
From the first of October right up to the end of November, Indian Railways has scheduled these special services to handle the huge surge in travellers. Already, over 1.6 crore people have used them to reach their families for the festivals. Now, as Chhath Puja wraps up, another big wave is expected on the return leg. The good news is that the same level of planning is in place to bring everyone back safely and on time.
These trains are not just about adding more coaches. They connect far-flung corners of the country so that no one misses out on the celebrations. Whether someone is travelling from a big city or a small town, there is a service ready to take them home and bring them back.
How Stations Are Handling the Rush
Major stations have turned into proper waiting zones with all the basic needs covered. Take New Delhi Station for example. A brand-new permanent area there can hold more than 7,000 people at once. It comes with separate toilet blocks for men and women, each having 150 units, plus ticket counters and machines that spit out tickets in seconds. Clean drinking water from RO units is free for everyone.
In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where the Chhath crowd is the heaviest, 30 stations now have dedicated spaces set up just for this period. Cameras keep an eye on everything, staff carry handheld machines to sell tickets on the spot, and clear paths guide people straight to their platforms without confusion.
Control Rooms Keep Everything in Sync
Behind the scenes, things are just as organised. Special war rooms operate at every division, zone, and even at the top level in the Railway Board. Live video feeds stream in from stations across the network. Smaller control units at busy spots watch the crowds minute by minute. If a platform starts filling up too fast, extra coaches get attached or another train gets the green signal. This setup makes sure no one is left stranded.
The system also tracks how many people still need seats. If the numbers climb, more services are announced on the spot. It is all about staying one step ahead of the rush.
Passengers Share Their Stories
People coming out of the stations have only good things to say. One man travelling from New Delhi to Chhapra could not stop smiling because he got a confirmed ticket to spend Chhath with his sister. At Bhagalpur, the mood was festive even before boarding, with Chhath songs playing over the speakers. A traveller there said the music made the wait feel like part of the celebration.
In Pune, another person pointed out the fans, water points, and neat rows of seats in the waiting area. Everything was clean and orderly. Over at Howrah, staff went out of their way to help a differently-abled passenger, who later thanked them warmly for the care.
Someone heading from Bandra Terminus to Barauni liked how smooth the entry gates were and gave a thumbs-up to the Railway Protection Force for keeping things safe. A general-class traveller from Howrah to Muzaffarpur managed to find a seat without any pushing or shoving. From Jabalpur, a passenger praised the staff for starting the train right on the dot and answering every question with a smile.
Online booking worked without glitches for most people. Queues moved fast, security checked bags politely, and seats were exactly as promised. One traveller from New Delhi to Bihar said the coach was spotless and the berth felt comfortable the whole way.
Staff Make the Difference
None of this would happen without the people in uniforms. From ticket checkers to platform attendants, everyone is on extra shifts. They guide families with kids, help senior citizens board, and keep an eye out for anyone who looks lost. Cleaners sweep through coaches the moment a train pulls in, so the next set of passengers steps into a fresh space.
Safety is a big focus too. Extra patrols walk the platforms and ride the trains. Announcements remind everyone to keep aisles clear and watch their luggage. The result is that even with packed stations, things stay calm and under control.
What the Numbers Say
Put together, the effort is massive. Twelve lakh employees means one worker for every hundred passengers on an average day, but during the festival it feels like one for every ten. Over two months, the special trains will cover lakhs of kilometres without a major delay. The holding areas alone can shelter tens of thousands at peak hours.
All this planning pays off in happy faces. Families reunite on time, rituals happen without worry, and the trip back to work or college starts on a relaxed note. Indian Railways has turned what used to be a stressful scramble into a smooth ride that people actually look forward to.
As the last of the return crowds thin out by the end of November, the teams will start packing up the extra arrangements. But the lessons from this season will stay. Better holding areas, smarter monitoring, and quicker responses are now part of the playbook for every big festival ahead.
For anyone who travelled this time, the message is clear: the railways cared enough to make the journey as special as the destination.
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