Thousands of passengers boarded Bihar-bound trains to reach home in time for Chhath Puja. The Chhath Puja festivities began on October 24 and will continue till October 27. It is a festival for the people of Bihar, Jharkand and some parts of Uttar Pradesh. The festival sees hundreds of people come home to Bihar to offer prayers to Lord Sun and Chhathi Maiyya. Obviously, being the three most populous states of the country, the crowd is mammoth.
Heavy rush of passengers at New Delhi Railway Station #ChhatPuja (Last night visuals) pic.twitter.com/Mg1qvFUzfi
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2017
Keeping in the mind the heavy rush at the railway stations in Delhi, the Indian Railways announced running of 31 special trains for the festival season. The Railway Police Force was tasked with the duty of maintaining order at the stations. The Railways also pitched in doctors to provide immediate medical attention in case of emergencies.
To control the crowd, the railways have positioned ticket checkers and other officials at the foot-over bridges – the most vulnerable areas during crowd movement. Temporary toilets and drinking water taps have been installed and tents have been pitched to accommodate the passengers.
However, the Indian public doesn’t seem to have learnt from the Elphinstone Bridge collapse incident at Mumbai. Despite the authorities trying their best to tackle the crowd, people were seen hanging from the train windows, boarding moving trains, and pushing each other at the foot-over bridges.
People trying to enter the coach from window. Twitter
The photograph below clearly shows how people tried to push each other to board the train while the railway official was clearly having a difficult time tackling them.
People trying to enter the coach from window. Twitter
And this tweet shows how RPF stepped in to help passengers who were injured during the rush.
RPF staff on duty assisting passengers during the Chhath rush at New Delhi Railway Station @sanjay_sarmera@drmdelhipic.twitter.com/8dtndNWd7s
— SrDSCDelhiWest (@rpfnrdliwest) October 23, 2017
The collapse of Elphinstone station foot-over bridge killed 23 people while several were left injured. This picture from that fateful day in Mumbai still haunts many.
The incident triggered a major demand for the improvement of railway infrastructure at the stations.
While the people continue to behave in their own ways, praiseworthy words are pouring in for the efforts of the Railways.
Awesome facility 4 Chhtha Puja passengers at N.Delhi railway station.Special tent,unreserved counter,Chhath song,food al 2 facilitate people pic.twitter.com/OzuywloADg
— Binit lal (@lalbinit) October 24, 2017
Hates of to you RPF.. humanity must grow as much as it can
— SIDE UPPER (@7sideupper) October 24, 2017
The authorities tried their best to facilitate their journey, but it seems that we never learn.
Credit: SUNO
