Trains Running at 250% Capacity as Kumbh Rush Breaks All Records

Patna: Despite a recent stampede at Delhi Railway Station, passenger congestion at railway stations in Bihar remains unmanageable as thousands continue their journey to and from the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Efforts by the district administration and railway authorities to control the crowd have seen little success, with platforms overflowing and general coaches exceeding capacity by more than double their limit.

Railway officials had anticipated a decline in passenger numbers after Maghi Purnima, but the surge has not subsided. Devotees remain determined to take a holy dip at the Sangam, pushing trains to extreme overcrowding levels.

To accommodate the rising demand, the Indian Railways is operating 12 to 15 special trains daily from Patna, Danapur, Rajendranagar Terminal, and Pataliputra. However, even these additional services are proving inadequate. Trains such as Sampoorna Kranti Express, Magadh Express, and Patna-LTT Express are witnessing record-breaking occupancy, with some coaches carrying 220-250% of their capacity—nearly two and a half times the permissible limit.

According to railway data, around 70,000 to 80,000 passengers are departing from the Danapur division daily for the Kumbh Mela, while an equal number are making the return journey. With the festival approaching its final phase, the rush is intensifying. A railway official stated that while the usual peak passenger count at Patna Junction was 1.5 lakh, it has now soared to four lakh. Consequently, even the special trains, originally planned to operate at 100-110% occupancy, are now running beyond 200% capacity.

Historically, Chhath Puja witnessed the highest rush on trains from Patna and Danapur, with occupancy levels reaching 165-170%. However, due to the Kumbh Mela, regular trains bound for Prayagraj are now carrying between 4,000 and 5,000 passengers each—far exceeding capacity. Many travelers are opting for regular trains over special services, exacerbating the strain on existing routes.

A Mahakumbh Mela Special train was launched on Wednesday from Kiul via Nawada to Gaya, but overcrowding was so severe that passengers from Nawada reached Kiul early to secure seats. The train has now been rescheduled, yet demand remains overwhelming, with five times more passengers than available seats.

With no sign of the rush easing, railway officials are struggling to manage the massive influx of devotees, raising concerns over safety and infrastructure readiness as the Kumbh Mela continues to draw pilgrims in record numbers.