With the Holi festival approaching nearer, a huge rush was seen at the reservation counter at the Dehradun railway station. Trains to cities like lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna and Howrah are running full till March 15. Dehradun Railway station Superintendent SD Dobhal said that the waiting lists in the sleeper class have crossed the 50 mark in almost all the trains. One or two
additional coaches will be attached in some trains to facilitate the passengers, who have procured waiting ticket, in view of festival.
Thousands of people especially the sizeable migrant population settled are finding it difficult to travel to their native places during Holi festival. As of now, most trains to major cities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have "long waiting. With the date approaching near, no room (when waiting list gets exhausted) will be available .
Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh) native BTech student Prit Kumar who was at reservation counter said, "I took ticket for four days before Holi festival in Doon Express and I got 50 waiting in sleeper." According to him, his brother had booked ticket a month ago with a hope that it will be confirmed by the date of journey.
"The Railway authorities should announce special trains to all major towns of UP and Bihar well in time so that people can make their travel plans and get reservation," he added.
An auto driver Sohan Singh, native of Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) said, "I have been residing here for the last five years. I took ticket for March 14 and I got 75 waiting in sleeper. No matter what happens, I go home during Holi festival ever year." With a view to accommodate more passengers, the railways authorities each year attach some extra coaches in long-distance express trains to facilitate the passengers during the festival. He expressed hope that his ticket will be confirmed by the date of journey.