When a large number of rail passengers came to the railway stations to take advantage of the special arrangements made by Indian Railways on the occasion of festivals, a new record was automatically created. On November 4, 2024, more than 3 crore passengers traveled by Indian Railways. This number is more than the total population of Australia and New Zealand.
Among the passengers traveling through railways on November 4, 19.43 lakh passengers traveled in the reserved category while one crore 1,29,000 passengers traveled in the unreserved category of non-suburban services. While on this day one crore 80 lakh people traveled in suburban railways. The extensive arrangements made by Indian Railways at major stations and the operation of special trains have helped in achieving this feat. It is worth mentioning that Indian Railways has planned to operate more than 7700 special trains in the year 2024. Last year, 4429 trips of special trains were run by Indian Railways. This year, Indian Railways has planned 73 percent more special trains than last year, which are expected to benefit more than one crore passengers during the festival season. More than 65 lakh passengers have reached their destinations through special trains run between 1 October and 5 November.
This year, more number of passengers came to railway stations for their journey between 1 October and 5 November and by providing holding area at every station, additional ticketing arrangements, special arrangements for boarding and deboarding of passengers, better passenger facilities, the Railways succeeded in serving more number of passengers. Between 1 October and 5 November, more than 7.50 crore passengers from all over the country left for their villages and cities in Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to celebrate festivals.
So far this year, 4521 special trains have been run by Indian Railways, which have benefited more than 65 lakh passengers. Indian Railways operated 207 special trains on 3 November 2024, which is a new record, while 203 special trains were operated on 4 November and 171 special trains on 5 November, while 164 special trains are planned to be operated on 6 November and 164 special trains on 7 November.
Indian Railways has also made special arrangements for the people returning to other cities from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh after the festival of Chhath. Indian Railways has made arrangements to operate 164 special trains on 8 November, 160 special trains on 9 November, 161 special trains on 10 November and 155 special trains on 11 November. Apart from this, special rakes have been kept ready in Samastipur Sonpur and Danapur divisions, which will be used as per requirement. All the preparations were reviewed once again at the level of the Railway Board and the concerned officials have also been instructed to provide better facilities to the passengers at the railway stations.
Central Railway figures
Central Railway has notified to run a total of * 733 special train services* for the Diwali/ Chath Pooja rush- 2024
● Till date 402 Special trains have been run from upto 5th of November and 3.15 lakh passengers have been facilitated during this period in special trains.
• No of specials run by CR on 3rd November : 20 trains
• No of specials run by CR on 4th November : 17 trains
• No of specials run by CR on 5th November : 15 trains
• No of specials run by CR today on 6th November :15 trains
• No of specials planned by CR to run tomorrow on 7th Nov : 16 trains