Patna : As Holi approaches, thousands of people are making their way back to Bihar from cities across India. With an overwhelming rush of passengers, trains heading to Patna and other major destinations in Bihar are packed, while airfares have surged, in some cases doubling or even tripling.
Trains at full capacity
People working in metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru are struggling to secure tickets home. Daily trains, including Rajdhani, Sampoorna Kranti, Vibhuti, Jan Shatabdi, and Vikramshila Express, are fully booked. Even special trains introduced to accommodate the festive rush are reaching capacity. With limited options, many travellers are left wondering how they will make it home in time for the celebrations.
Airfares hit new highs
For those unable to find train tickets, air travel is the only alternative—but at a steep cost. Over the past month, ticket prices for flights to Patna have skyrocketed, reaching two to three times their usual rates. While fares have slightly decreased from their peak, they remain nearly double the standard price, putting a strain on travellers’ finances. Many are finding themselves spending an entire month’s earnings just to be with family for the festival.
Bus travel offers an alternative
Amid soaring demand for trains and flights, bus services are providing another option. Buses from Delhi, Jaipur, Raipur, Rourkela, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Siliguri are ferrying passengers to major destinations in Bihar, including Patna, Siwan, Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur, and Gaya.
