Jamshedpur: Heavy rush in trains, buses due to Holi

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur: As Holi approaches, travelers from Bihar are facing significant challenges in securing seats on trains and buses to return home for the festivities. The demand for transportation has surged to such an extent that passengers are now scrambling for seats in both trains and buses departing from Jamshedpur to Bihar.

A flurry of activity is witnessed at Mango Bus Stand as crowds from various districts of Bihar converge to book seats on buses. The situation is exacerbated by the overwhelming demand, leading to a shortage of seating capacity on trains such as Purushottam, Buxar, Chhapra, and Ara-South Bihar Express departing from Tatanagar.

The distinction between sleeper and third AC coaches has blurred as passengers with waiting or general tickets vie for available seats in any coach. Despite the operation of Holi special trains, passenger occupancy falls short of expectations, primarily due to the higher fares compared to regular trains.

In response to the surge in demand, efforts are underway to accommodate passengers, including the provision of additional chair cars on trains like Tata-Buxar Express and Tatanagar-Buxar Express. The decision to augment seating capacity comes from the South Eastern Railway Zone to alleviate the discomfort experienced by travelers.

Railway authorities are known to deploy additional sleeper and third AC coaches based on waiting lists, ensuring convenience for passengers traveling on routes including Tatanagar, Yesvantpur, and Bengaluru. In the South Eastern Railway Zone, seven Holi special trains are operational, with three originating from Tatanagar, including destinations such as Saharsa, Barauni, and Ernakulam.