A massive surge of homeward-bound passengers has gripped Surat's Udhna railway station as people travel to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with their families. For the past four days, the station has witnessed an uninterrupted influx of travelers heading toward destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The rush has escalated to such an extent that all three waiting halls inside the premises are running beyond capacity. Left with nowhere to sit inside, thousands of passengers have been compelled to form lengthy queues outside in the open parking area while waiting for their scheduled departures.
Sustained Influx Despite Multiple Daily Departures
To cater to the extraordinary festive volume, more than four trains have been operating daily from the station toward various destinations across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. However, the sheer volume of outbound travelers continues to outpace available capacity. Huge numbers of workers alongside their families are determined to reach their native towns and villages in time for the celebrations. The sprawling queues extending outside the main entrance vividly reflect the immense eagerness and struggle among people trying to secure passage home during the busiest festival window of the year.
Authorities Point to Special Trains and Crowd Control
Addressing the station's packed environment, Pankaj Singh, DRM of Mumbai Central, stated that comprehensive arrangements have been deployed this season to enhance passenger comfort and maintain orderly movement. He maintained that despite the intense footfall, travelers are not experiencing major hardship. To ease overcrowding on the platforms and holding zones, authorities have scheduled dedicated holiday services, with approximately five special trains dispatched today alone to transport passengers directly to their home cities.
