Did Over 1.5 Crore Train Passengers Travel This Festive Season? Ashwini Vaishnaw Reveals!
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Synopsis
This festive season has seen an impressive surge in train travel, with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announcing that nearly 1.5 crore passengers have already traveled, and projections suggest this number could exceed 2.5 crore by season's end. Learn about the safety enhancements and special train services set up for the festivities.
Key Takeaways
- 1.5 crore passengers have traveled this festive season so far.
- Over 2.5 crore passengers are projected to travel by the end of the festivities.
- Special train services have increased from 178 to over 13,000 in recent years.
- Safety measures have improved, reducing accidents significantly.
- Indian Railways is enhancing infrastructure and passenger services.
New Delhi, Oct 25 (NationPress) The Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced on Saturday that approximately 1.5 crore train passengers have journeyed thus far during this festive season. He projected that over 2.5 crore passengers are expected to travel by the close of the festive period.
Vaishnaw detailed that extensive holding areas have been established at 30 railway stations to ensure effective crowd control.
Addressing reporters, the minister highlighted that during the tenure of former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad, only 178 special trains were operated for the Diwali and Chhath celebrations, whereas this number has surged to over 13,000 today — marking a significant increase.
Safety measures have also improved, with the count of accidents dropping from over 170 in 2014 to just 31 in 2024-25, and he expressed an ambition to further enhance safety.
According to Vaishnaw, rail track construction has escalated from 400-600 kilometres annually to more than 4,000 kilometres each year.
Indian Railways is preparing for the secure and comfortable return of passengers post-Chhath Puja festivities. On October 28, 6,181 special trains will operate to assist passengers returning to work after the celebrations.
In Bihar, about 30 stations are readying for the festive influx with holding areas, extra ticket counters, CCTV surveillance, and various other passenger-centric arrangements. Additionally, Railways has introduced 24x7 medical booths at locations including Patna, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, and Saharsa, equipped with fire brigade and ambulance services on standby for immediate health aid and safety management.
The minister also shared that over 12 lakh Central Government employees have been integrated into Zoho’s indigenous digital ecosystem.
“Chipsets for various purposes, including CCTV, are being manufactured in India. Within a span of two years, India aims to achieve full domestic production of mobile phone components. The government plans to invest over Rs 200 crore to develop energy-efficient microprocessors for high-performance computing, including servers,” the minister stated.
Point of View
It is essential to recognize the significant strides Indian Railways has made in enhancing passenger safety and convenience during the festive season. The reported increase in passengers and special train services reflects the government's commitment to cater to public demand while prioritizing safety.
NationPress
26/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passengers have traveled this festive season?
Approximately 1.5 crore train passengers have traveled so far during this festive season.
What safety measures are in place for passengers?
The Indian Railways has established extensive holding areas, additional ticket counters, and 24x7 medical booths at key stations to ensure passenger safety and convenience.
How many special trains are being run?
Over 6,181 special trains have been notified for operation to facilitate passenger travel after the Chhath Puja festivities.
What improvements have been made in train safety?
Accidents have reduced significantly from over 170 in 2014 to just 31 in 2024-25 due to enhanced safety measures.
What is the future plan for rail track construction?
Rail track construction has increased from 400-600 kilometers per year to over 4,000 kilometers annually, reflecting the government's commitment to improving infrastructure.
