There was chaos at Surat's Udhna railway station | सूरत रेलवे स्टेशन पर यूपी-बिहार के यात्रियों की भीड़: ट्रेन पकड़ने 8-8 घंटे पहले स्टेशन पहुंच रहे लोग, रेलवे चला रहे 86 स्पेशल ट्रेनें - Gujarat News | Dainik Bhaskar

Overcrowding at Surat's Udhna Railway Station

The Udhna railway station in Surat, India, experienced extreme overcrowding due to a massive influx of passengers traveling to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar for Diwali and Chhath Puja. The situation was exacerbated by the large number of people attempting to board trains, leading to chaos and strain on railway resources.

Railway's Response

Western Railway responded by deploying 86 additional special trains to manage the surge in passengers, which will operate until November 30. Despite this, long queues and delays persisted.

Challenges Faced by Passengers

• Passengers reported waiting for extended periods, with some arriving 8-10 hours in advance to secure a spot on the train.
• The crowd was so large that police had to intervene.
• Reports of theft and medical emergencies further compounded the situation.

The station director reported crowds of 10,000-12,000 people. Many trains were fully booked, forcing passengers to scramble for seats in general compartments. This situation is reminiscent of a similar incident last year, where a stampede resulted in a fatality.

Measures Taken

• Medical teams and ambulances were deployed.
• Railway police presence was increased.
• A nodal officer was appointed to monitor the situation and manage the flow of passengers.

Passengers interviewed expressed their frustration and hardship, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure and resource management during peak travel seasons.