The Chhath festival, a significant four-day event, has commenced amidst a political storm concerning the operation of special trains. Opposition leaders, including RJD chief Lalu Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, have voiced strong criticism against the government regarding the perceived shortage and inadequate management of these trains. They highlighted the massive rush and difficult conditions faced by travelers trying to board already packed trains.
Rahul Gandhi described the situation as a direct consequence of the “NDA’s deceitful policies and intentions,” stating that passengers were enduring “inhuman” travel conditions. He shared a video on X showing trains overflowing, with people hanging from doors and even rooftops, indicating that many trains were operating at 200% capacity. He emphasized the difficulty in securing tickets and the overall inhumane nature of the journey.
Lalu Prasad Yadav also took to X to criticize the central government’s arrangements, recalling a statement about 12,000 special trains being provided for Bihar during the Chhath rush, which he labeled a “white lie.” He expressed shame over the conditions faced by his “Bihar people” during their journey, attributing it to the alleged misrule and ‘jungle raaj’ preceding the current administration, a point made in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s earlier remarks.
The BJP, however, countered these criticisms. Party National Spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan stated that Indian Railways is indeed running 12,075 special trains for the Chhath festival, comparing this favorably to the 178 special trains during Lalu Yadav’s tenure. He accused the RJD of engaging in political maneuvering during the festive period.
Meanwhile, the Congress party held a press conference in Patna, expressing solidarity with the travelers. National General Secretary Avinash Pandey questioned the government’s claims about 12,000 trains for Bihar, pointing out that the country has only 13,452 passenger trains in total. He lamented that millions of pilgrims were forced to sleep in train toilets, calling it a blow to humanity and Bihar’s cultural faith.
The Ministry of Railways had announced plans for 12,011 special train trips between October 1 and November 30 to manage the passenger influx. Additionally, the Bihar government has arranged for 204 special buses from five states to facilitate travel during Diwali and Chhath. Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary highlighted the government’s efforts, mentioning that 12,739 special trains have been approved this year, an increase from previous years, and that the railway minister is personally overseeing the arrangements for safe and convenient journeys. He also announced a ₹24 crore rebate on inter-state bus fares for migrants.
Despite these extensive preparations and announcements, the reality on the ground reflects a significant challenge in managing the overwhelming festive rush, exposing a gap between claims and execution. Officials noted that October 18 saw the highest number of trains in operation (nearly 280), while October 8 had the lowest (around 166), with months of planning involved across railway zones and divisions.