Sitamarhi: A surge in travel after the Holi festival has left trains heading to Delhi fully booked, with large crowds of passengers and migrant workers gathering at railway stations and bus terminals. The heavy rush at booking counters has made it increasingly difficult for travellers to secure even Tatkal train tickets.
To manage the rising demand, the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has started operating more than half a dozen buses from Sitamarhi to Delhi. Many passengers who were unable to book train tickets are now choosing to travel by bus to reach their workplaces in the national capital.
Passengers waiting at the government bus stand near Kanta Chowk said they had no option but to rely on bus services after failing to obtain railway tickets. Suresh Das, Ramaswaroop Das and Vinod Sada, residents of Sursand Bhittha, said the heavy rush and lack of Tatkal availability forced them to take government buses to Delhi.
Several travellers also alleged that ticket brokers remain active around railway reservation counters. According to passengers, agents are charging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,500 above the official price to arrange Tatkal tickets. Some travellers claimed that despite repeated complaints, strict action against such practices is rarely taken.
Railway Protection Force inspector Omprakash Thakur dismissed the allegations, saying regular drives are conducted against unauthorised agents. He added that due to limited manpower, officers cannot monitor every reservation counter daily, though periodic inspections are carried out at stations including Dheng, Dumra, Shivhar, Bajpatti and Janakpur Road.
Meanwhile, BSRTC officials said the corporation is operating five to six buses daily to major cities to handle the rush. Bus company in-charge Abhilesh Pushpa Singh said each bus has 30 chair seats and 30 sleeper berths, allowing around 60 passengers to travel in one trip.
Over Sunday and Monday, five buses carrying nearly 300 passengers departed for Delhi. To make ticket booking easier, counters have been set up at several locations including Kanta Chowk, Bypass Bus Stand, behind Hotel Sitayan, Sonbarsa, Bhutahi Chowk, Bhithamore, Sursand, Shivhar, Runnisaidpur, Kumma Chowk, Bela and Parihar.
The fare for travel to Delhi has been fixed at Rs 1,183 for sitting seats and Rs 1,785 for sleeper berths per passenger. According to the corporation, these modern buses depart daily from Kanta Chowk between 12.40pm and 2.40pm.
