The Indian Railways is operating over 7,200 trains to ensure timely travel for passengers during the festive seasons of Diwali and Chhath. According to a recent post on the Ministry of Railways' X platform, 7,296 special trains are being run to accommodate the increased passenger demand.

Commitment to Passenger Safety

In light of the festive rush, Indian Railways is prioritising passenger safety and minimising incidents. The Railway Ministry stated, “Transporting people across India during Diwali and Chhath is a challenging task, but after successfully managing similar operations during Navratri and Durga Puja, Indian Railways is now fully prepared to help the commuters reach their native places for the ongoing Diwali and the upcoming Chhath celebrations.”

The ministry has urged passengers to report any suspicious substances on railway premises to the Railway Protection Force (RPF) via the designated helpline 139 and the RailMadad portal.

Thee RPF has implemented rigorous safety protocols to ensure secure journeys for millions of passengers. The statement added, “To ensure safe travel during this festive season, RPF has launched an all-encompassing safety drive to curb fire hazards and prevent accidents on the railway network.”

The RPF’s awareness campaign, in collaboration with various stakeholders, includes distributing leaflets, displaying eye-catching posters, performing street plays, and broadcasting public announcements across social, print, and electronic media.

The ministry further noted that enhanced luggage inspections and parcel checks, along with monitoring vendors and hawkers using portable stoves (sigris), have been underway since October 15 to mitigate fire risks.

Special trains 

Earlier, Dilip Kumar, Railway Board's Information and Publicity Executive Director, announced that special trains would operate from locations across the country, including Secunderabad, Ahmedabad, Kottayam, Ujjain, Bhopal, New Delhi, Nagpur, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh. “On 30th October, we are running 164 special trains to facilitate travel for Chhath and Diwali,” he told ANI.

Kumar added, “To ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience at railway stations, teams of officers have been deployed round the clock. Additionally, the Railway Police Force, commercial staff, and other self-help groups (SHGs) have been mobilised for passenger convenience.”

In anticipation of overcrowding in certain areas, additional seating arrangements and resting places have been established for passengers. “We have set up holding areas at important stations where there is the possibility of overcrowding. Arrangements for seating and resting of passengers have been made to ease congestion and ensure a smooth journey,” Kumar explained.

Celebrating Diwali and Chhath

Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India and around the world, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Families will adorn their homes with colourful rangoli patterns, illuminate them with diyas and fairy lights, and engage in prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity while sharing sweets and exchanging gifts.

Meanwhile, Chhath Puja, celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and the Madhesh region of Nepal, is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya) and his consort Usha. The festival spans four days, encompassing rituals such as Nahay Khay (holy bathing), Kharna (fasting and offering sweet dishes), Sandhya Arghya (prayers to the setting sun), and Usha Arghya (prayers to the rising sun). Common offerings include thekua (a sweet made from wheat flour and jaggery) and fruits, fostering community bonding and environmental awareness.

ANI, PTI inputs