Indian Railways transported nearly 3 crore passengers, including both suburban and non-suburban passengers, in just 24 hours on 4 November 2024. “This is a staggering number, exceeding the combined populations of Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the scale of operating the national transport network during peak travel times.
According to an Indian Railways official, from October 1 to November 5, 2024, around 7.5 crore passengers have been transported in regions like Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand, reflecting the massive movement of people for the festive period. Overall, more than 65 lakh passengers have benefited from the special trains operated by Indian Railways to meet the growing travel demand.
Special trains and increased capacity
In response to the increasing passenger demand during the festive rush, Indian Railways has introduced more than 7,600 special trains between October 1 and November 30, 2024. This is an increase of 73% compared to 4,500 special trains operated last year. Apart from regular services, special trains have played an important role in reducing congestion on the busiest routes.
On 4 November, Indian Railways achieved its highest single-day passenger figure for the year, with a total of 120.72 lakh non-suburban passengers (including 19.43 lakh reserved and 101.29 lakh unreserved) and 180 lakh suburban passengers traveling across the country. . This extraordinary surge reflects the substantial demand during the current festive season, especially for destinations like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Orissa. When asked about the plan, an official said, Indian Railways has taken strong measures to ensure smooth and safe travel for millions of people. Special control rooms have been set up at all levels from Railway Board to divisional and station level, while regular updates through social media, newspapers and public announcements are ensuring that passengers are well informed about the special train services. Get information from. Additionally, crowd management protocols have been strengthened, especially at high traffic stations, to ensure safety of passengers and efficient operations. “Through this unprecedented operation, Indian Railways is showcasing its vital role in connecting millions of passengers across the country during the festive season,” he said.
Efforts of Western and Central Railways
Western Railway has played an important role in meeting the increasing travel demand by operating around 375 special trains. Central Railway has also been a key player, running 402 special trains till November 5, facilitating over 3.15 lakh passengers in these special services alone.
looking ahead
As the Diwali and Chhath Puja rush continues, Indian Railways has planned to run 164 special trains on November 6 and 7. These additional services are part of the ongoing effort to cater to the heavy passenger load and ensure that everyone can go home to celebrate the festival with their families.
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