PATNA: The Indian Railways has made extensive arrangements across all major stations in Bihar under the Hajipur-headquartered East Central Railway (ECR) zone to manage the massive surge of passengers expected during the upcoming Chhath Puja festivities. Senior railway officials confirmed that the measures aim to ensure the safe and smooth travel of lakhs of devotees returning home to celebrate the festival.
ECR General Manager Chhatrasal Singh said on Wednesday that the focus this year is on both passenger convenience and safety. “The priority of the railways is to facilitate the smooth arrival and departure of travellers and ensure their safety by preventing any untoward incidents,” Singh stated.
To accommodate the festive rush, the number of Chhath special trains has been significantly increased from 7,500 to 12,000 this year. Additional coaches have been attached to existing trains, and new temporary services have been introduced connecting major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad to Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, and other destinations across Bihar.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel have been deployed in large numbers to maintain law and order at stations, control crowd movement, and prevent ticketless travel. Special focus has been placed on crowd management at busy junctions such as Patna, Danapur, Hajipur, and Gaya, where thousands of devotees are expected to board trains in the next few days.
Officials said that additional ticket counters and help desks have been set up to guide passengers, and special medical teams will remain on standby at key stations. Platforms have been equipped with public announcement systems to provide real-time updates on train schedules, while station premises have been cleaned and decorated to reflect the festive spirit.
“Preparations for passengers’ arrival are already complete,” Singh said, adding that the greater challenge will come after the festival, when people begin returning to their workplaces. The Railways is preparing to handle an equally large outbound rush post-Chhath and has urged passengers to travel only with confirmed tickets to avoid overcrowding.
Chhath Puja, one of Bihar’s most significant festivals dedicated to the Sun God, will be celebrated from October 25 to 28 this year. The Railways’ elaborate plan reflects the scale of migration and cultural importance the festival holds for millions of people from the state.
