Surat. With Diwali, Chhath Puja and the Bihar Assembly elections coinciding this year, a massive rush of migrant passengers has overwhelmed Surat’s Udhna Railway Station. Thousands of workers and families heading to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and other eastern states have crowded the platforms, leaving little room to stand.
As per agency report, Surat, known as India’s diamond and textile hub, employs lakhs of migrant workers who traditionally return home during the festive season. However, this year the overlap of festivals with the election period has led to an unprecedented surge in travelers. The rush for seats has resulted in chaos, with passengers pushing and jostling to board trains, creating difficulties for children and elderly passengers.
To manage the situation, teams from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Gujarat Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed in large numbers. Officials are monitoring the platforms and entry points through CCTV cameras and drones. Special barricades and direction boards have also been installed to help control the crowd and maintain order.
For passenger convenience, Indian Railways has introduced additional special trains and unreserved coaches. This year, a total of 12,000 festival special trains are being operated nationwide, running until November 15.
Key special trains from Gujarat include the Ahmedabad–Patna Special, operating twice a week from October 1 to November 15; the Surat–Darbhanga Special, running once every three days; and the Bandra Terminus–Gorakhpur Special, arranged specifically for the eve of Chhath Puja.
According to the Railway Ministry, these additional trains are expected to improve ticket availability, offer more route options, and reduce congestion in regular trains. Authorities have appealed to passengers to remain patient, follow instructions from railway and police personnel, and ensure a safe and disciplined journey.
