Surge of Travelers at Panipat Railway Station as Bihars Chhath Puja Approaches

Panipat, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : The approach of Chhath Puja has sparked a rush among migrant workers and their families from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh to return home. Thousands are making their way to celebrate this significant festival with their loved ones.

The situation at Panipat Railway Station is chaotic, with trains so overcrowded that there’s barely room to stand. Many passengers are forced to travel precariously, hanging from train doors or sitting in the aisles near restrooms. Travelers express frustration that political leaders remember Bihar residents only during elections for votes, yet fail to arrange additional trains or stops during major festivals like Chhath.

Sunita Mishra, traveling from Siwan district to celebrate Chhath, described the overwhelming crowds, stating that there is no space available even to board the trains. She urged the government to provide extra trains to Bihar during the festival and ensure that trains from Delhi stop at Panipat. Many from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar reside in Panipat for work, and they want to return home for the festivities. However, the lack of train services has caused significant inconvenience.

Passenger Akash Kumar shared his struggle to secure a confirmed ticket over the past two months. With no other option, he has resorted to traveling with a general ticket amidst the throngs of people. Despite the discomfort, he is determined to reach his village for Chhath. He noted that many migrate to other states for work due to insufficient job opportunities in Bihar, and he hopes for better employment prospects back home.

Umashankar from Chapra district echoed these sentiments, lamenting that if there were enough jobs and companies in Bihar, he wouldn’t need to travel 1,000 kilometers to work in Panipat. Despite his efforts over the last two months, he has been unable to secure a ticket. He emphasized that Chhath is Bihar’s most important festival, yet the lack of adequate train services forces people into unsafe travel conditions.

Satish Kumar, who works at a labor company in Panipat, is also heading home for Chhath. As a person with disabilities, he noted the absence of special travel accommodations. He recalled that the Parhka Express used to run from Panipat to Bihar but has since been discontinued. He called for at least two regular trains to be operated from Panipat to Bihar to facilitate smoother travel for workers and their families.