The major festival of faith, Chhath Puja, has commenced, accompanied by a massive rush of migrant workers and their families attempting to return to their native places. People from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh are utilizing every available mode of transport, including trains and buses, to reach their hometowns. The situation at transit points is severe, with trains packed to capacity and travelers forced to make hazardous journeys.
Overcrowded Trains and Risky Journeys
The urgency to return home for the festival has created chaotic scenes at railway stations, where finding even standing room inside a coach has become a challenge. Many passengers are compelled to travel by hanging onto train doors, sitting near restrooms, or standing in cramped aisles, putting their lives at risk. Travelers at stations express frustration that while political parties actively seek votes during election seasons, they fail to arrange adequate special trains and halts for major festivals like Chhath.
The Plight of Migrants in Panipat and Halt Demands
Sunita Mishra, travelling to Siwan district in Bihar, explained that the overwhelming rush inside trains makes it nearly impossible for passengers to even board the coaches. She urged the administration to operate additional trains to Bihar during the festive season. Furthermore, she demanded that trains running from Delhi to Bihar should be provided a scheduled halt at Panipat railway station. Thousands of residents from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar live and work in Panipat to earn a living, and while they wish to reunite with their families during festivals, the lack of proper rail connectivity causes immense hardship. Although discussions about introducing a halt at Panipat for trains originating from Delhi took place previously, no resolution has been implemented yet.
Migration Driven by Scarcity of Local Employment
Akash Kumar, another passenger at the Panipat railway station, stated that despite trying for two months, he failed to secure a confirmed ticket. Consequently, he was forced to buy a general ticket and travel amid heavy crowds. He emphasized that regardless of the hurdles and dangers of hanging from trains, he is determined to reach his village for Chhath Puja. Kumar noted that due to the lack of sufficient employment opportunities in Bihar, millions migrate to other states for labor. A significant number of Bihari workers are employed in the factories of Panipat. He expressed hope that future generations might find livelihoods locally so they would not need to travel to distant states for work.
Workers from Chhapra Question Transport Inadequacies
Umashankar, a native of Chhapra district, remarked that if adequate jobs and industrial units existed within Bihar, he would not have had to travel a thousand kilometers to Panipat for work. Despite two months of persistent attempts, he could not secure a ticket. He pointed out that despite Chhath being the biggest festival in Bihar, authorities fail to operate enough trains for passenger convenience. People continue to endure perilous conditions by sitting near restrooms and clinging to train doorways amidst heavy shoving, while their grievances seemingly go unaddressed.
Difficulties Faced by Disabled Passengers
Satish Kumar, who works at a labor firm in Panipat, shared that despite being a person with a disability, he receives no special assistance for his journey home. He recalled that an express train previously operated from Panipat, but it was eventually discontinued. He strongly demanded that at least two regular trains should be operated from Panipat to Bihar so that workers and migrant families can reach their homes safely and without distress.
