Patna: Rail services at Patna Junction were suspended for nearly 45 minutes on evening after frustrated passengers and examination candidates descended onto the tracks to protest against the shortage of trains on the Gaya route, triggering chaos at one of Bihar’s busiest stations.
The disruption followed a prolonged gap in train services after 3:30pm, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded on overcrowded platforms. Among them were a large number of students travelling for competitive examinations, many of whom complained of uncertainty and delays as cancellations and diversions compounded their difficulties.
Railway officials said several trains had been either cancelled or rerouted because of ongoing infrastructure and development work at Gaya Junction. The changes sharply reduced connectivity to Gaya and neighbouring districts, leading to swelling crowds at Patna Junction as the evening progressed.
Tensions escalated at about 7:15pm when the Singrauli-bound Palamu Express arrived at platform nine. General passengers reportedly forced their way into reserved air-conditioned coaches, prompting the Railway Protection Force (RPF) to intervene and remove unauthorised travellers. The action sparked an argument that quickly turned into a protest, with some passengers stepping down onto the tracks and raising slogans against the authorities.
Train movement came to a complete standstill as protesters refused to clear the line despite repeated warnings and continuous horn signals. The halt affected multiple services and created scenes of confusion across the station concourse.
Personnel from the RPF, Government Railway Police and Railway Protection Special Force were deployed to restore order, while senior officials, including the station director, arrived at the site. After negotiations and crowd control measures, passengers were persuaded to vacate the tracks and normal operations resumed. The Palamu Express departed at around 7:56pm under tightened security.
RPF inspector Shankar Ajay Patel said 15 people had been detained on charges of disrupting law and order and obstructing railway operations. He urged passengers to follow safety regulations and warned that entering railway tracks posed serious risks to life and property.
