Hajipur: East Central Railway (ECR) has intensified its preparations ahead of the Chhath festival to manage the expected surge in passengers. In a high-level review meeting held at the War Room in Patna on Wednesday, General Manager Chhatrasal Singh assessed the readiness of all railway divisions and issued directions to ensure safety and convenience for travellers.
The review, attended by departmental heads and divisional railway managers, focused on crowd management, passenger facilities, safety arrangements, and the operation of additional festival special trains. Singh instructed officials to coordinate closely with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to maintain order at stations and on trains.
“Additional security forces have been deployed, and a sufficient number of special trains are being operated for passenger convenience,” Singh said. He added that 24-hour monitoring would be carried out from the War Room, and special caution should be exercised near ponds adjacent to railway tracks during the puja. Extra TTEs, RPF personnel, and officers have been stationed at high-traffic locations to assist passengers.
To accommodate the post-festival rush, holding areas have been created at major stations. Continuous announcements are being made to update travellers on train schedules, while CCTV monitoring is in place at key junctions. Scouts, Guides, and railway staff have been deployed at “May I Help You” booths to provide assistance, and medical booths are available to offer immediate aid.
The RPF, supported by dog squads, is maintaining heightened vigilance at select stations to ensure security and prevent overcrowding. ECR officials said these proactive measures aim to ensure a safe, smooth, and comfortable travel experience for passengers returning home during one of the region’s most significant festivals.
