Chhath and Diwali Travel Dreams Shattered as Migrants Queue from 2 AM for Bihar Train Tickets in Faridabad Passengers traveling to Bihar for Chhath and Diwali face extreme difficulties as train tickets sell out within minutes at Ballabhgarh station, despite commuters queueing from 2:00 AM. The arrival of major festive seasons brings with it a powerful urge to return home and celebrate with loved ones. As Diwali and the grand festival of Chhath Puja approach, the excitement among the migrant population from Bihar living in Faridabad and Ballabhgarh is palpable. However, securing a passage home this year is turning out to be an incredibly daunting challenge. Travelers are attempting to secure train bookings nearly two months in advance, yet they find themselves blocked by an overwhelming shortage of seats. The moment the railway reservation system opens, all available berths vanish within a matter of minutes. The desperation has reached a level where hopeful passengers begin queueing outside station ticket windows as early as 2:00 AM, only to watch their hopes of a confirmed ticket disappear shortly after the counters open at 8:00 AM. Hours of Waiting Ending in Disappointment The ticket booking counters at Ballabhgarh railway station have become scenes of persistent frustration for many. Devendra Mishra, a commuter who has been trying his luck for several days, shared his struggle, noting that he had visited the station for four consecutive days without any success. He pointed out that those managing the reservation counters frequently pause or leave their stations every five minutes, disrupting the flow of the queue. Prepared with both cash and digital UPI options to expedite the process, he had been joining the line at 4:00 AM, yet he had to return home empty-handed each time. Despite the railway administration introducing a few festival special trains for the Chhath holiday, passengers continue to struggle to secure a spot. Severe Shortages Across Multiple Rail Routes The critical shortage of train accommodation is not restricted solely to eastern-bound trains. Lakhan Verma, another traveler at the station, stated that he arrived hoping to book a confirmed ticket to Vaishno Devi but was unable to find one. Similarly, Birbal Kumar, who needed to travel to Bihar on November 11, found himself waiting in a massive line only to face disappointment when his turn arrived. Balram Yadav, a local rickshaw puller operating at the Ballabhgarh railway station, witnesses this daily struggle firsthand. He noted that he regularly sees people assembling in long lines starting from 2:00 AM, yet a vast majority of them end up returning home without any travel confirmation. Lack of Direct Trains and Recalling Better Times For Mantun Yadav, a native of Munger in Bihar, traveling home for Chhath Puja is an annual ritual that has now become highly problematic. He explained that while Jamui and Bariarpur are his closest railway stations, there are no direct trains heading to Bihar from Ballabhgarh. As a result, passengers from the region are forced to travel to Delhi's Anand Vihar or New Delhi railway stations to board their trains, adding a heavy burden of transit. Even on his regular route, the Vikramshila Express is so heavily congested that travelers are forced to make hazardous journeys by hanging from the carriage doors. Yadav recalled that the discontinued Toofan Express once provided direct connectivity from Ballabhgarh, easing the travel burden significantly. He also reflected on the tenure of former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, remarking that railway management was much more efficient back then, sparing passengers from such extreme travel distress. What this means for you This massive shortage of train tickets is severely impacting the travel plans of lakhs of passengers heading home for the upcoming festivals. • Across India: Rail passengers nationwide are likely to face severe booking hurdles during the peak festive season. This means travelers must plan months in advance or look for alternative modes of transport. • In Faridabad: Migrants from Bihar living in Faridabad and Ballabhgarh are forced to commute to Delhi stations to find direct trains. This lack of direct local connectivity increases both their travel expenses and commute times. Why this happened This crisis is driven by an overwhelming demand-supply mismatch during the festive season, compounded by a lack of direct train services from industrial hubs. • Lack of Direct Services: There is a severe lack of direct trains heading from Ballabhgarh to Bihar. This forces commuters to travel to major terminals in Delhi like Anand Vihar and New Delhi, creating bottlenecks there as well. • Discontinuation of Old Routes: The cancellation of formerly popular direct trains like the Toofan Express has eliminated reliable options for commuters. Consequently, pressure has doubled on remaining active routes like the Vikramshila Express. • Extreme Seasonal Peak: Chhath and Diwali witness millions of people traveling simultaneously. Despite the railway administration planning festive specials, the volume of passengers vastly outnumbers the available berths. Questions & Answers 1. What time are passengers lining up at the Ballabhgarh station ticket counters? Passengers are queueing up as early as 2:00 AM and 4:00 AM in hopes of getting a confirmed ticket. 2. At what time do the reservation ticket counters open at the station? The reservation ticket counters open at 8:00 AM, but available seats get fully booked within minutes. 3. Which major train to Bihar has been discontinued from Ballabhgarh? According to passengers, the Toofan Express, which previously provided direct connectivity, has been discontinued. 4. What alternative do passengers have due to the lack of direct Bihar trains from Ballabhgarh? Passengers are forced to travel to Delhi's Anand Vihar or New Delhi railway stations to board their trains. 5. Is this ticket crisis limited only to Bihar-bound routes? No, passengers traveling to other popular destinations like Vaishno Devi are also unable to get confirmed bookings. https://trendkia.com/en/haryana/chhath-aur-diwali-par-ghar-jane-ki-aas-tooti-faridabad-se-bihar-jane-wale-yatriyon-ko-nahi-mil-rahe-train-ticket-32681 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.