Passengers sit on floors as trains leave Agra packed after Diwali; 71 specials running

Trains leaving Agra were packed on 9 November as people headed back to work after Diwali, with many passengers sitting on the floor and near the toilets, Amar Ujala reported. The city’s bus stand was also crowded.

The Patalkot Express, which left from platform 2 at about 12.10 p.m., and the Jhelum Express, from platform 4 at about 5.20 p.m., were among the crowded trains, the report said.

What the railways are doing

Sanjay Kumar Gautam, the public relations officer of the Agra rail division, said 71 special trains were running, along with unreserved trains. Holding areas have been set up at stations, Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are working in shifts, and CCTV cameras are being used to watch the crowds, he said.

Waiting lists are growing, so confirmed seats are hard to get, the report said.

Why it matters

Lakhs of people travel home for Diwali and Chhath across Uttar Pradesh and Bihar each year. Overcrowded coaches are uncomfortable and can be dangerous, especially near doors and on footboards.

What’s next

The railways have not said whether more special trains will be added from Agra before Chhath.