Patna: Patna Junction and Rajendra Nagar Terminal witnessed an unprecedented rush on Sunday evening as thousands of passengers scrambled to board trains bound for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. The sheer volume of devotees made it nearly impossible to move, with platforms packed to capacity.
At Rajendra Nagar Terminal, passengers thronged platform number 2, eager to board the Sampoorna Kranti Express. The crowd was so overwhelming that the train had to be delayed. As it arrived, passengers surged toward the AC coaches, but security personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) shut the doors to prevent unauthorized entry. Some passengers without valid tickets attempted to board, leading to scuffles at the gate, during which RPF personnel were seen slapping two to three individuals.
A similar scene unfolded at Patna Junction, where the Kumbh Special train was stationed on platform number 4, but many of its bogies had their doors locked. Frustrated passengers struggled to gain entry, with some pushing against the doors in an attempt to board. More than 100 passengers at Patna Junction and another 150 at Rajendra Nagar were ultimately unable to travel due to the chaos.
On platform number 5 at Patna Junction, RPF personnel were seen helping passengers board by opening the locked bogies. However, the situation remained tense as crowds continued to swell.
Passengers also faced severe overcrowding inside the Magadh Express, which arrived at platform number 3. There was no space left to sit, even in the AC coaches, forcing people to stand on footrests, inside bathrooms, and in the narrow spaces between seats. At least 50 passengers abandoned their journey due to the unbearable conditions.
Despite continuous announcements and appeals from RPF personnel, passengers struggled to board the Kumbh Special train, which eventually departed at 6:30 pm from platform number 2—completely packed.
To manage the overwhelming rush, additional railway staff and RPF personnel were deployed across the platforms. Despite their efforts, the crowd showed no signs of easing, and passengers—including women and children—were left standing for hours inside packed coaches, some sitting on the floor with nowhere else to go.
