Surat, April 19 (NationPress) In response to significant overcrowding at the Udhna railway station in Gujarat, Indian Railways deployed extra special train services on Sunday. This action followed the widespread circulation of videos depicting chaotic conditions at the station.

As per railway officials, over 23,000 passengers were accommodated through both regular and special train operations throughout the day. To further alleviate congestion, two additional special trains were scheduled to leave at 21:40 hrs and 23:30 hrs.

This initiative was taken amidst an unexpectedly high passenger turnout during the summer travel rush.

Reports indicated severe overcrowding earlier in the day at Udhna, a crucial rail hub for Surat, where thousands, including many migrant workers, gathered in hopes of returning to their homes in northern and eastern states.

Long lines extending up to two or three kilometers were observed outside the station, with some travelers enduring waits of several hours under the sweltering heat.

Railway and police personnel were on-site to manage the crowd, with officials admitting that the demand had surpassed initial predictions.

In some cases, passengers attempted to skip ahead in the queues, necessitating intervention from security staff to maintain order.

Despite earlier chaos, Western Railway reported that coordinated efforts at Udhna led to smoother operations later in the day.

Measures such as controlled boarding, systematic queue management, and ongoing monitoring were credited with improving conditions.

Passengers expressed satisfaction with the adjustments. One traveler heading to Banaras noted that railway staff were "actively managing queues and assisting passengers in an orderly boarding process, ensuring safety and timely departures."

Another passenger traveling from Valsad to Mau commented that "additional stopovers and enhanced coordination" made his journey more convenient.

Officials stated that effective crowd and queue management, alongside the deployment of ground staff and essential amenities, contributed to a safer and more comfortable travel experience during peak times.

Travelers also noted enhancements in seating arrangements and the reduction of overcrowding thanks to the availability of special trains.

The increase in passenger numbers is attributed to a mix of summer holidays, seasonal migration, and heightened travel demand to states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Indian Railways continues to monitor demand and will operate additional services as necessary.

Authorities have urged passengers to rely solely on official communication channels to avoid misinformation, especially given the viral content from earlier on Sunday.

The Railways confirmed that ongoing monitoring and coordinated efforts will remain in effect to ensure safe, efficient, and smooth passenger operations throughout the summer travel season.