Overview
- Railways says 12,011 special train trips are scheduled from October 1 to November 30, including more than 900 trips over the next three days and 6,181 return services from October 28.
- Ashwini Vaishnaw says passenger count has already reached nearly 1.5 crore and could top 2.5 crore by the end of the festive period.
- About 30 major stations in Bihar and nearby Uttar Pradesh have weather‑proof holding areas, extra ticketing options, ATVMs, RPF deployment, CCTV and drone monitoring, medical booths and round‑the‑clock war rooms.
- Regional boosts include 58 special departures from the Delhi area and nearly 2,000 extra trains on Western Railway’s network, while stations are also broadcasting Chhath devotional songs to improve the travel experience.
- Despite additions, field reports show severe crowding at hubs like Gorakhpur and Deoria, prompting extra Puja specials and night buses, as opposition leaders accuse the Centre of shortfalls and Railways counters with official schedules and fact‑checks.