World · India Bureau
Special train launched as migrant workers rush home from Gujarat
Railway authorities have introduced a special service from Surat to Bihar as thousands of migrant workers queue at stations ahead of the festival season. The surge in passenger traffic reflects the annual homeward migration pattern as workers seek to return to their home states.
LSN India ·
Crowded platforms at railway stations across Gujarat's industrial hub of Surat have witnessed unprecedented passenger volumes in recent days, prompting Indian Railways to deploy additional services to accommodate the rush. A dedicated special train has been commissioned to ferry workers from Surat's Udhna station to Madhubani in Bihar, addressing the high demand for travel during the festival period.
The surge comes as large numbers of Bihari migrant workers employed in Surat's manufacturing and industrial sectors prepare for their annual return home. The city, a major textile and diamond processing centre, hosts a substantial workforce from across India, particularly from Bihar and eastern states.
Railways officials attributed the decision to introduce the special service to the concentration of passenger demand during the festival season. The move aims to reduce congestion at ticket counters and provide reliable transport options for workers returning to their home states after months of employment away from their families.
The special train service underscores the seasonal movement patterns that characterize India's migrant worker economy, where hundreds of thousands travel between industrial centres and their home regions during major festivals. Such initiatives by Indian Railways have become routine during peak travel seasons to manage the volume of inter-state passenger movement.