Passengers climbing through train windows, some travelling in toilets, others waiting 12 hours in queues: Railway stations witness unprecedented Diwali-Chhath chaos

Railway stations across several parts of India are witnessing an unprecedented rush of passengers as thousands of people travel to their hometowns for Diwali and Chhath Puja. Overcrowded platforms, packed coaches and long queues have made boarding trains increasingly difficult, with visuals showing passengers trying to squeeze into coaches through doors and windows to secure a place. From Delhi and Mumbai to Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, the festive rush has put considerable pressure on railway infrastructure. Migrant workers and families travelling to Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and other eastern states are among those facing difficulties as they attempt to reach home for the celebrations.

Despite the introduction of additional special trains and several crowd-control arrangements, the surge in demand has resulted in severe congestion at major railway stations. In some locations, passengers have been waiting for several hours to board trains, while others have struggled to find even standing space inside coaches.

The situation is expected to become more challenging in the coming days, with another major passenger rush anticipated ahead of Chhath Puja.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw explains festive arrangements, says 18,000 special trains added

Amid the growing rush, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said preparations for the festive travel season had started six months in advance. The Railways has increased the number of special trains and introduced several measures to regulate passenger movement at busy stations.

According to Vaishnaw, the Railways operated approximately 75,000 special trains during the previous financial year, while the number has crossed 80,000 this year.

Greeting people on Diwali, the minister described the period covering Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath as one of the busiest travel seasons for Indian Railways. He said arrangements had been strengthened every year to improve passenger convenience and manage the additional demand.

The minister also highlighted the creation of dedicated holding areas at around 20 railway stations. These facilities allow passengers to wait before entering platforms, helping reduce congestion around train departure points.

Ticket counters have also been shifted to holding areas at certain stations, while additional scanning facilities have been introduced to speed up passenger movement and avoid long queues.

Vaishnaw said the number of special trains operating during the festive season had increased from around 12,000 last year to 18,000 this year. He also pointed to the installation of approximately 700 AI-enabled cameras at different locations to monitor crowds.

The minister said the biggest rush had been witnessed around Dhanteras, with passenger numbers relatively lower on Chhoti Diwali. Another major surge is expected approximately three days before Chhath Puja.

Delhi: Anand Vihar railway station introduces dedicated passenger holding facility

Delhi is among the major departure points for passengers travelling to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other eastern states during the festive season.

At Anand Vihar Railway Station, the Railways has a permanent Passenger Facilitation Centre designed to accommodate passengers waiting to board trains. The facility includes seating arrangements and ticket counters, providing a designated space for commuters instead of allowing large crowds to gather directly on platforms.

The holding facility is intended to regulate passenger movement and minimise congestion during peak departure hours. Such arrangements are particularly important during Diwali and Chhath, when thousands of passengers travel from the national capital to their hometowns.

Gurgaon has also experienced increased passenger movement at railway stations, metro stations and bus terminals. Long queues, crowded transport services and limited availability of seats have added to commuters' difficulties during the festive travel period.

Mumbai: LTT sees heavy rush as passengers head to Bihar, UP and Jharkhand

In Mumbai, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) has been witnessing a substantial increase in passengers travelling towards Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and other eastern destinations.

The terminus serves as an important departure point for eastbound passengers, particularly migrant workers returning home for Chhath Puja after celebrating Diwali.

Central Railway is operating additional festival special services alongside regular trains to accommodate the increase in demand. LTT handles around five to six eastbound trains daily, connecting Mumbai with destinations such as Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Patna, Danapur, Muzaffarpur and Raxaul, besides several locations in Jharkhand.

The additional services are intended to provide more travel options to passengers heading home. However, the heavy demand during the festive period continues to put pressure on available train capacity.

Tamil Nadu: Migrant workers struggle to board packed trains from Tiruppur

Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu has also witnessed a significant increase in passengers as migrant workers from northern and eastern India begin their journey home for Diwali and Chhath Puja.

Several trains connecting Tamil Nadu with Bihar and Jharkhand have been witnessing heavy overcrowding. Videos from railway stations show passengers struggling to enter packed coaches, with some attempting to board through doors and windows. Others can be seen holding on to footboards amid the rush.

For many migrant workers, the journey home is particularly demanding. Travelling from Tamil Nadu to Bihar and Jharkhand can take approximately 48 hours, with trains passing through Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.

The long journey, coupled with overcrowded coaches and limited space, has made festive travel difficult for workers who want to spend the celebrations with their families.

Although additional special trains have been announced, passenger demand on several routes remains high. The situation also brings attention to the difficulties faced by migrant workers who depend on long-distance trains to travel between southern and eastern India.

Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi, Lucknow and Prayagraj stations witness massive crowds

Several railway stations across Uttar Pradesh are experiencing heavy passenger movement as people return to their hometowns for Diwali and Chhath Puja.

At Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, passengers arriving from Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat have been struggling to board trains towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The overcrowding has reportedly become so severe that some commuters have resorted to makeshift arrangements, including hammocks, while others have been seen travelling in train toilets.

The situation has prompted authorities to strengthen security arrangements at the station. Additional personnel from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) and commercial departments have been deployed to regulate passenger movement and maintain safety.

Lucknow has also witnessed a substantial increase in crowds at Charbagh Railway Station and Alambagh Bus Station. Thousands of passengers are travelling through these transport hubs to reach their destinations ahead of the festivals.

Prayagraj railway station is facing similar pressure, with a large number of passengers gathering to board trains. Railway officials are focusing on crowd regulation and passenger safety as the station handles increased footfall during the festive season.

Gujarat: Passengers wait up to 12 hours at Surat's Udhna railway station

In Gujarat, Udhna railway station in Surat has emerged as another major congestion point amid the festive travel rush.

Passengers travelling to their hometowns have reportedly been waiting in queues for as long as 12 hours to board trains. The heavy footfall has increased pressure on railway services, particularly for those travelling to northern and eastern parts of the country.

To accommodate the additional demand, Western Railway has announced more than 70 special trains from Surat and Udhna to different destinations.

Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vineet Abhishek said railway stations witness a sharp rise in passenger footfall during festivals such as Holi, Diwali and Chhath, as well as during the summer holiday season. He said the surge in demand often leads to overcrowding and long queues, making crowd-management arrangements essential to prevent stampede-like situations.

He emphasised the importance of preventing passengers from gathering directly on platforms while waiting for trains, particularly during periods of extreme congestion.

According to the railway official, holding areas and other crowd-management arrangements are important to avoid overcrowding and reduce the risk of stampede-like situations.

Chhath Puja travel rush: Railways expects another passenger surge three days before festival

With Chhath Puja approaching, Indian Railways is preparing for another significant increase in passenger movement. Vaishnaw has indicated that the next major rush is expected around three days before the festival. The Railways has stepped up its arrangements through additional special trains, dedicated passenger holding areas, relocated ticket counters, extra scanning facilities and AI-enabled surveillance cameras.

However, the scenes at major railway stations across the country underline the scale of the festive travel demand. Passengers continue to face difficulties boarding trains, finding adequate space and waiting for long hours despite the additional services.

For thousands of migrant workers and families, reaching home in time for Chhath Puja remains a priority. With the next wave of festive travel expected shortly, managing crowds and ensuring safe boarding will remain a major challenge for railway authorities.