Central Railway Prepares for Chhath Puja with 1,250 Trains and Enhanced Facilities for Travelers

Mumbai, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : Central Railway is gearing up for Chhath Puja, ensuring extensive arrangements for travelers heading to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. According to CPRO Swapnil Neela, major stations such as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Pune, Nagpur, and Nashik will feature holding areas equipped to accommodate thousands of passengers.

This year, Central Railway will operate approximately 1,250 trains, with over 600 designated specifically for routes to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Nationwide, around 18,000 special trains are being deployed, significantly up from last year’s 12,000.

Neela explained that two key arrangements have been made for travelers celebrating the festival with family. The first involves facilities at the stations, while the second pertains to services within the trains. At prominent stations, holding areas have been established to manage passenger flow effectively.

For instance, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a holding area has been set up between platforms 7 and 8, as well as between platforms 14 and 15, each capable of accommodating over 5,000 passengers. Similarly, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus has created two holding areas near the entrance and under the flyover, together offering space for more than 10,000 travelers. Pune station has also established a holding area near platform 1 for around 2,000 passengers.

These holding areas will provide food and toilet facilities for travelers. To streamline the ticket purchasing process, the mobile UTS service will be available, allowing authorized railway staff to assist passengers in acquiring their tickets without the need to stand in long lines.

In addition to the number of trains, the railway has increased its services to ensure a smooth journey for those traveling to and from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Notably, Pune will see one regular and two additional special trains to Danapur.

Neela emphasized the importance of safety and encouraged travelers to purchase tickets only through authorized channels. Passengers are urged to follow updates provided through the railway’s public announcement system and official social media platforms to ensure a secure and pleasant journey.

Overall, while last year saw over 12,000 special trains, this year’s total is expected to surpass 18,000, with many of these services converted into regular trains. This will likely result in over 20,000 trains available for passengers traveling to rural and remote areas.