In an impressive feat of efficiency during the ensuing festive season of Chhath, Indian Railways this week recorded a historic milestone by transporting more than three crore passengers on one single day - November 4, 2024 - which adds up to more than the population of Australia and New Zealand.

The passengers were transported from various regions of the country like Delhi, Mumbai, Surat, Bengaluru, Chennai and maximum number were bound to destinations in Bihar and Jharkhand where the Chhath festival is celebrated with great fervor and spirit. 

“Three crore passengers boarded railways which is more than the population of Australian and New Zealand combined. A total of 120.72 lakh (19.43 lakh reserved and 101.29 unreserved non-suburban) passengers were carried in November 2024. The 180 lakh suburban traffic tackled by Indian Railways is the highest record-breaking day for Indian Railways or could be a world record which will be verified in due course,” a Railway spokesperson told The Pioneer.

Approximately 7.5 Crore passengers were carried by national transporter to Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand during the festive period,  Durga Puja, Diwali, Chhath, beginning October 1 to November 5 through special trains.

Railways had to put in service a record 7666 special passenger train services to clear the rush during this period. In the same period last year 4,429 trips were operated. “This is 73 per cent more than last year,” the spokesperson added.

To cater to the returning passengers, the Railways has scheduled a substantial number of special trains, ensuring smooth travel for the thousands of people returning from festive destinations.  From November 8 to November 11, 2024, the Indian Railways will run special trains to manage the Chhath Puja return rush.

The official said anticipating a similar rush for return journeys since Friday onwards a meeting was held at the Railway Board to channelise the process for safe and sure return and onwards journeys for which two railway divisions in Bihar, Samastipur and Danapur, have been asked to spruce up the arrangements.

“Enhanced crowd management by putting in additional staff, security personnel, and volunteers deployed at stations to manage the large crowds and maintain order to avoid any Mumbai type mishaps on the platform. Special control rooms have been set up to monitor train punctuality, track delays, and ensure seamless coordination between stations and divisions,” added the railway official.