Major chaos broke out at Surat's Udhna Railway Station on Sunday as some passengers broke the queue while trying to board the Bihar-bound special train Udhna-Hasanpur. Passengers waiting in long queues for hours stifled in the heat, while complaining of a lack of adequate facilities on the station. The situation also distressed the children and elderly persons.
The railway station witnessed heavy crowding as thousands of passengers, mostly migrant workers, gathered to board outstation trains at the start of summer vacations and amid a slowdown in industrial activity, initiated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Western Railway officials said the situation was normal and brought under control within five minutes.
Visuals of Surat's Udhna Railway Station show thousands of passengers waiting for the train, scorching in heat and rushing to board the train, while the police attempt to control the chaotic crowd.
Also read: Summer vacations, industrial slowdown triggers massive passenger rush at Surat's Udhna railway station
Several eyewitnesses told news agency PTI that police had to resort to mild 'baton charge' to regulate the crowds and bring order amid attempts to break the queues. Passengers complained of long queues, lack of basic facilities and shelter in the station premises.
"I have been in the queue since 8 pm last night. I am with my family and there is barely any space inside the compartment to even stand," Shobhit Tanti, a resident of Darbhanga in Bihar told PTI.
Another passenger, Rohit Paswan from Patna, complained he had no option but to travel standing as the compartment was full, adding that he was travelling back due to a "shortage of LPG" and production cuts in the unit where he is employed.
Jaihind Maurya from the state of Uttar Pradesh also spoke about not getting a seat amid the rush on the station and the shortage of LPG, a persistent complaint since the Israel-Iran war started on February 28. The government should pay attention to problems such as these, he added.
"I have been standing in queue in the scorching sun for 15 hours. I have not had food or water as I cannot leave my place in the queue. Some passengers were given water by the authorities, but it is not enough," passenger Shailendra Yadav rued.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Railways) Dipak Gaud has acknowledged that the turnout exceeded the capacity of trains. "We are asking them to go back home and wait for another announcement by the railways about new trains," he said.
In a statement posted on its X handle, Western Railway reiterated that the situation at the station remained "normal, orderly and well-regulated".
The authority said more than 21,000 passengers had already been transported, and another special train to Jaynagar was scheduled to depart at 9:40 pm.
"Contrary to such claims, multiple trains have departed as scheduled from Udhna for northern states today, including Udhna - Jaynagar Special and Madhubani Special. Passengers and the general public are advised to rely only on official communications issued by Railways," the WR statement said.
Western Railway PRO Anubhav Saxena also affirmed that the situation at the station was "completely normal" and under control despite the seasonal rush.
"The summer season has started, so there is an influx of additional passengers, but Western Railway has made complete arrangements. Today, our first train left Udhna for Jaynagar at 1:30 am, followed by another for Madhubani at 5:30 am. So far, more than 21,000 people have travelled," he said.
While the government is operating special trains to cater to the high demand amid the summer vacation period, a smooth implementation and strict vigilance are required to avoid such chaotic situations.
Apart from regular railway services, special trains are also being operated, including Antyodaya Express and Amrit Bharat Express services from the station, Saxena informed PTI. "To ensure smooth arrangements, we have opened seven additional ticket counters at Udhna station. Additional Railway Protection Force personnel and ticket-checking staff have been deployed for crowd management," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
The railway station witnessed heavy crowding as thousands of passengers, mostly migrant workers, gathered to board outstation trains at the start of summer vacations and amid a slowdown in industrial activity, initiated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Western Railway officials said the situation was normal and brought under control within five minutes.
Visuals of Surat's Udhna Railway Station show thousands of passengers waiting for the train, scorching in heat and rushing to board the train, while the police attempt to control the chaotic crowd.
Also read: Summer vacations, industrial slowdown triggers massive passenger rush at Surat's Udhna railway station
Several eyewitnesses told news agency PTI that police had to resort to mild 'baton charge' to regulate the crowds and bring order amid attempts to break the queues. Passengers complained of long queues, lack of basic facilities and shelter in the station premises.
"I have been in the queue since 8 pm last night. I am with my family and there is barely any space inside the compartment to even stand," Shobhit Tanti, a resident of Darbhanga in Bihar told PTI.
Another passenger, Rohit Paswan from Patna, complained he had no option but to travel standing as the compartment was full, adding that he was travelling back due to a "shortage of LPG" and production cuts in the unit where he is employed.
Police personnel control a heavy rush of migrants at Udhna railway station as they leave for their hometowns amid factory holidays and summer vacations, in Surat
Jaihind Maurya from the state of Uttar Pradesh also spoke about not getting a seat amid the rush on the station and the shortage of LPG, a persistent complaint since the Israel-Iran war started on February 28. The government should pay attention to problems such as these, he added.
"I have been standing in queue in the scorching sun for 15 hours. I have not had food or water as I cannot leave my place in the queue. Some passengers were given water by the authorities, but it is not enough," passenger Shailendra Yadav rued.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Railways) Dipak Gaud has acknowledged that the turnout exceeded the capacity of trains. "We are asking them to go back home and wait for another announcement by the railways about new trains," he said.
In a statement posted on its X handle, Western Railway reiterated that the situation at the station remained "normal, orderly and well-regulated".
The authority said more than 21,000 passengers had already been transported, and another special train to Jaynagar was scheduled to depart at 9:40 pm.
"Contrary to such claims, multiple trains have departed as scheduled from Udhna for northern states today, including Udhna - Jaynagar Special and Madhubani Special. Passengers and the general public are advised to rely only on official communications issued by Railways," the WR statement said.
Western Railway PRO Anubhav Saxena also affirmed that the situation at the station was "completely normal" and under control despite the seasonal rush.
"The summer season has started, so there is an influx of additional passengers, but Western Railway has made complete arrangements. Today, our first train left Udhna for Jaynagar at 1:30 am, followed by another for Madhubani at 5:30 am. So far, more than 21,000 people have travelled," he said.
While the government is operating special trains to cater to the high demand amid the summer vacation period, a smooth implementation and strict vigilance are required to avoid such chaotic situations.
Apart from regular railway services, special trains are also being operated, including Antyodaya Express and Amrit Bharat Express services from the station, Saxena informed PTI. "To ensure smooth arrangements, we have opened seven additional ticket counters at Udhna station. Additional Railway Protection Force personnel and ticket-checking staff have been deployed for crowd management," he added.
(With inputs from PTI)
