Indian Railways (IR) has reached a significant milestone in passenger transport this festive season, with over 65 lakh passengers moved between 1st October and 5th November. This figure rivals the combined population of Australia and New Zealand, moved in just a 24-hour period. Approximately 7.5 crore passengers travelled to Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand through special train services, underscoring Indian Railways’ commitment to providing efficient and accessible travel during high-demand periods. On 4th November, Indian Railways set a new benchmark by carrying over 120.72 lakh non-suburban passengers, complemented by 180 lakh passengers in suburban transit, marking the highest single-day passenger movement of the year.
To accommodate this unprecedented demand, Indian Railways has scheduled 7,666 special train services from 1st October to 30th November 2024, a notable 73% increase from last year’s 4,429 services. During peak days, an impressive number of trains were deployed, with 207 trains running on 3rd November, 203 on 4th November, and 171 on 5th November. Further preparations are in place for the anticipated return rush post-Chhath Puja on 8th November, with additional trains stationed in high-demand areas like the Samastipur and Danapur divisions. From 8th to 11th November, over 600 special services will ensure smooth transit for passengers during this busy season.
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The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has also made a significant contribution, operating 80 special trains with over 800 trips between 1st April and 7th November 2024. These services have facilitated travel for 11.35 lakh passengers, generating approximately ₹99.77 crore in revenue. In response to Chhath Puja demand, NFR has arranged additional special services to bolster connectivity across major Eastern and Northern Indian destinations.
NFR has taken strong measures for crowd control and security at major stations to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers.
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