📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Suyash Dwivedi
Religion
Chhath Travelers Face Shortage of Special Trains at Itarsi Junction
✍️ Amar Ujala · Madhya Pradesh
🗓 12 Nov 2026, 02:37 PM
👁 6
During the Chhath festival, commuters struggled to return home as 40 special trains proved insufficient, leading to a massive influx of passengers at Itarsi Junction.
The Chhath festival, a major religious observance in India, saw thousands of devotees attempting to reach their homes after the holy day. In response, Indian Railways had scheduled 40 special trains to accommodate the surge in travel demand. However, the number proved inadequate as the passenger load far exceeded expectations.
At Itarsi Junction, one of the key transit points in Madhya Pradesh, crowds of commuters gathered in the early hours, leading to congestion and delays. Railway officials reported that the special trains were filled to capacity within minutes, and many passengers were left waiting in the station’s platforms.
The shortage of trains caused frustration among travelers, many of whom had to seek alternative routes or wait for the next available service. Local authorities urged commuters to exercise patience and follow safety guidelines while navigating the crowded station.
Railway officials have pledged to increase the number of special services in the coming weeks and to improve crowd management at major junctions. They also advised passengers to book tickets in advance and to plan their journeys early to avoid last‑minute congestion.
At Itarsi Junction, one of the key transit points in Madhya Pradesh, crowds of commuters gathered in the early hours, leading to congestion and delays. Railway officials reported that the special trains were filled to capacity within minutes, and many passengers were left waiting in the station’s platforms.
The shortage of trains caused frustration among travelers, many of whom had to seek alternative routes or wait for the next available service. Local authorities urged commuters to exercise patience and follow safety guidelines while navigating the crowded station.
Railway officials have pledged to increase the number of special services in the coming weeks and to improve crowd management at major junctions. They also advised passengers to book tickets in advance and to plan their journeys early to avoid last‑minute congestion.