Indian Railways deploys 1,500 special trains from Maharashtra for festival travel

Indian Railways has undertaken substantial operational measures to accommodate the anticipated surge in travel during the Chhath Puja and Diwali festival season. The national transporter will deploy more than 18,000 special trains across the country, with Maharashtra alone accounting for roughly 1,500 additional services to facilitate passengers returning to their hometowns for the celebrations.

To manage passenger congestion at key stations, Railways has established holding areas at 20 major stations and installed 700 AI-enabled surveillance cameras. These measures aim to streamline passenger flow and enhance safety during the high-traffic period.

In a bid to reduce crowding during peak hours, several stations across Maharashtra will suspend platform ticket sales until November 15. The suspension of platform ticket distribution is intended to limit the number of individuals accessing railway platforms and help maintain orderly passenger movement during the festive travel rush.

The special trains will connect major cities and towns, ensuring connectivity between employment centres and home states where a significant portion of the migrant workforce celebrates these major festivals. Railway authorities have coordinated with station management to ensure adequate staffing, catering, and sanitation facilities across all operational services.