As India enters the festive season, millions of people will be preparing to travel across the country to celebrate festivals like Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja with their families. Recognizing the surge in travel demand during this time, Indian Railways has announced that it will operate over 6,000 special trains from October 1 to November 30. These special trains aim to accommodate the heavy passenger traffic that the festive season brings, ensuring smooth and convenient travel for people across the country.
This initiative is expected to greatly ease travel woes for passengers, reduce the pressure on regular trains, and make long-distance travel more accessible during this crucial time.
Addressing High Festive Season Travel Demand
India’s festival season is a time of significant movement, with people traveling long distances to reunite with family and friends. However, this also leads to overwhelming demand for train tickets, particularly in regions where festivals are most celebrated, such as West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Regular train services, despite their extensive network, often struggle to meet this surge, resulting in fully booked trains, waitlisted tickets, and increased passenger dissatisfaction.
The Ministry of Railways, taking this into account, has rolled out these special trains to ensure additional capacity is available for passengers. The primary objective is to ensure that no one is left stranded and that people can reach their destinations to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones.
Details of the Special Trains
The special trains will be operated for a period of two months, from October 1 to November 30, covering the most popular routes and regions where the demand is the highest. Some of the key details about these trains include:
- Over 6,000 Special Trains: More than 6,000 trains will be added to the Indian Railways schedule, which will operate across various regions and routes.
- Popular Routes: Special trains will primarily cover high-demand routes including Delhi-Kolkata, Mumbai-Patna, Mumbai-Kolkata, Chennai-Delhi, Delhi-Lucknow, and Bengaluru-Varanasi, among others.
- Additional Coaches: Indian Railways has announced that some regular trains will also have extra coaches to accommodate more passengers during this period.
- Online and Offline Ticket Booking: Tickets for these special trains can be booked both online through the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) website and offline at railway stations.
Key Routes and States Covered
While the special trains will be operational across the country, a special focus will be on the regions where festival-related travel demand is at its peak. Some of the major routes that will witness special train services include:
- Delhi to Kolkata: Due to the grand celebration of Durga Puja in West Bengal, this route is expected to see heavy traffic.
- Mumbai to Patna: With Chhath Puja being a major festival in Bihar, the Mumbai-Patna route will have a high demand for tickets.
- Delhi to Lucknow and Varanasi: The Diwali celebrations in Uttar Pradesh, along with other regional festivals, make this route crucial.
- Chennai to Delhi and Mumbai: Southern India will also benefit from the special trains as people travel north for the holiday season.
The Railways will closely monitor these routes and ensure that any further demand is met with additional services if required.
Benefits for Passengers
The operation of these special trains comes as a major relief for passengers, as it directly addresses the issues of overbooked trains and long waiting lists that are common during the festive season. Some of the key benefits for passengers include:
- Reduced Waiting List: With more trains operating on high-demand routes, passengers will have better chances of securing confirmed tickets, reducing the long waiting list times that are usually seen during peak seasons.
- Increased Comfort: Additional trains and coaches mean less overcrowding in existing services, leading to a more comfortable and enjoyable journey for passengers.
- Ease of Travel: With more travel options, passengers will be able to plan their journeys more effectively and at their convenience, without being limited by the scarcity of available trains.
- Affordability: Train travel remains one of the most affordable modes of long-distance transportation in India. The introduction of these special trains ensures that people from all walks of life can afford to travel to their hometowns for the festival season.
Special Arrangements for Passengers
In addition to running special trains, Indian Railways is also making other arrangements to ensure a smooth and pleasant journey for passengers during the festive season:
- Sanitization and Cleanliness: Given the ongoing concerns around health and safety, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways has assured that proper sanitization protocols will be followed for all trains. Coaches will be regularly cleaned, and sanitation kits will be available on trains.
- Enhanced Security: With the increase in the number of passengers, railway authorities will ensure enhanced security at stations and onboard trains to ensure the safety of travelers. Special Railway Police and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be deployed in large numbers.
- Catering Services: Catering services will be available on most special trains to ensure passengers have access to food and beverages during their journey.
Challenges and Expectations
While the introduction of these 6,000 special trains is a commendable effort, the operation during the festival season will come with its challenges. Managing such a large volume of trains, ensuring timeliness, and avoiding overcrowding at railway stations will be crucial. Additionally, Indian Railways will need to ensure that COVID-19 guidelines, if applicable, are strictly followed to avoid any health risks.
Passengers are advised to plan their travel in advance, monitor ticket availability closely, and make use of both online and offline ticketing options.
Conclusion
Indian Railways’ decision to operate over 6,000 special trains between October 1 and November 30 is a much-needed step to meet the high travel demand during the festive season. This initiative not only provides additional travel options for passengers but also enhances comfort, convenience, and affordability. With an emphasis on safety and cleanliness, the festive travel season is expected to run smoothly, enabling millions of Indians to reach their loved ones and celebrate the festivals without any hassle.
As the festive spirit takes over the nation, these special train services will ensure that the joy of the season is not hindered by travel issues, allowing people to celebrate their traditions and festivals together.