Gurugram sees chaotic Diwali exodus as trains overflow with homebound passengers

The festive season migration reached fever pitch in Gurugram as trains heading toward Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal operated at well beyond capacity throughout the day. Railway officials reported that multiple services had no standing room available, forcing passengers to pack into general compartments and sleeper coaches far beyond designed limits. The overwhelming demand left commuters with few options as they competed for seats on the four major trains that departed the station on Saturday.

The congestion extended beyond rail services, with lengthy queues forming at bus terminals across the city as travellers sought alternative routes home. Facing delays and limited availability on formal transport, many passengers turned to informal services and private vehicles to complete their journeys, compounding traffic pressure on city roads.

The crush of humanity created tense situations on platforms and inside coaches, with several incidents of physical altercations reported among frustrated passengers vying for limited space. Some travellers were seen clinging to carriage doors and exterior railings as trains departed, highlighting the desperation to secure onward passage despite safety risks.

Authorities deployed teams from the Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Force throughout the day to conduct security checks and manage crowd flow. Despite their efforts to maintain order, the sheer volume of passengers overwhelmed normal crowd management procedures, underscoring the annual challenge posed by India's festive season migration patterns.