World · India Bureau
Bihar migrants face travel crunch ahead of Chhath festival season
Migrant workers planning to return to Bihar for Diwali and Chhath celebrations are facing severe travel constraints, with trains fully booked and airfares surging to unprecedented levels. The combination of limited transport options and soaring costs has made homecoming increasingly difficult.
LSN India ·
Thousands of migrant workers preparing to travel to Bihar for the festive season are confronting a significant transportation challenge as demand far outpaces available capacity across all modes of travel.
Railway services, traditionally the preferred and most affordable option, are experiencing acute congestion. Regular train services have sold out completely on most routes, with many showing waitlist-only booking status. This capacity crunch has forced travelers to explore alternative options, each presenting its own set of difficulties.
Airfare has emerged as an equally prohibitive option, with ticket prices ranging from 25,000 to 35,000 rupees—a cost many migrant families find unaffordable for multiple passengers. While bus services offer relatively cheaper fares, the long journey duration and cumulative expense of traveling with families have made this option economically challenging for many.
The convergence of Diwali and Chhath celebrations has created unprecedented demand for travel to Bihar, straining transportation infrastructure and leaving migrant workers scrambling to secure affordable passages home. As the festival season approaches, many face the difficult prospect of either accepting significantly higher costs or postponing their travel plans.