Chhath Puja over; Railways gears up for return journey of devotees
By Arun Kumar Das
New Delhi, Oct 25 (BVI): With the Chhath Puja days almost over, the Railways is gearing up to ensure smooth facilitation of the return journey of passengers who went home for the annual festival from various parts of the country.
For this purpose as many as 6181 special trains will be pressed into service from October 28, railway officials said.
To maintain smooth operations, Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been deployed in adequate numbers for safety and regulation.
Passenger assistance booths, information counters, queue management systems and public announcement systems have been strengthened.
Cleanliness, lighting, and sanitation facilities are being closely monitored at all major stations.
In order to manage the massive festive rush, holding areas equipped with all passenger amenities have been set up at major stations such as New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Udhna, Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and others.
Railway staff are working round the clock to guide passengers, maintain order, and ensure that everyone reaches home safely to celebrate the festivals with their loved ones.
Around 30 stations in Bihar are gearing up for the festive rush with holding areas, additional ticket counters, CCTV surveillance, and other passenger-friendly arrangements.
Additional coaches are also being attached to existing services to accommodate increased demand.
Weather proof holding areas are being created at major stations to manage large passenger inflows and provide convenient waiting facilities before train departures.
Some of the stations where holding areas are being established include Patna, Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Saharsa, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Samastipur, Barauni etc. in Bihar and Gorakhpur, Ballia and Banaras in Uttar Pradesh.
In addition to this additional Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters, and mobile unreserved ticketing (m-UTS) facilities have been made available to make travel more convenient for passengers.
Indian Railways is ensuring a smooth and comfortable festive journey for passengers by operating over 12,000 special trains across the country.
Dedicated war rooms at the Railway Board, Zonal, and Divisional levels are functioning round-the-clock to monitor and coordinate operations, ensuring real-time responses to any passenger requirements.
At stations like Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Saharsa, etc. 24×7 medical booths have been set up to address any passenger health emergencies. In coordination with the State Government, Fire Brigade, and Ambulance services are also kept in readiness to ensure prompt medical assistance and safety management.
Indian Railways, through careful planning, improved passenger services, and a strong emphasis on convenience and care, is dedicated to providing a seamless travel experience. (BVI)
