The annual travel rush for the consecutive festive occasions of Diwali and Chhath has turned into an exhausting struggle for thousands of migrants heading home. People traveling toward Bihar from various commercial hubs are encountering an acute shortage of passenger seats. Even travelers who managed advance reservations are enduring severe pushing and overcrowding just to make their way inside the coaches.
Severe Overcrowding Around Bengaluru to Bihar Sleeper Coaches
Chaotic scenes emerged around a private sleeper coach scheduled to travel from Bengaluru to Bihar. Footages circulated on social media platforms revealed a massive gathering surrounding the reserved bus, closely resembling the chaotic boarding scenes typical of state roadway terminals during high peak periods. Severe verbal altercations broke out among commuters who were trying to push past the crowd and climb aboard.
A significant portion of the crowd encircled the vehicle in the hope of securing an unboarded seat. These commuters waited alongside the bus ready to pay immediate cash fares if any passenger with a prior booking failed to arrive before departure. The sheer desperation to reach home on time pushed travelers to wait in tense and uncomfortable conditions.
Train Capacities Exhausted While Air and Road Fares Skyrocket
The intense festive movement has overwhelmed transit systems across multiple intercity routes. Passengers navigating travel between Pune and Nagpur are experiencing comparable disruptions as rail capacity has been entirely saturated. With no train berths available, passengers have been forced toward pricier alternatives.
This shortage of available transit options has driven fares to extraordinary levels. Airfares between Pune and Nagpur escalated to 19000 rupees. Simultaneously, private bus operators capitalized on the intense festive demand by charging up to 7000 rupees for a bus seat covering the 700-kilometer stretch between the two cities, leaving long-distance holiday commuters under significant financial strain.
