Indian Railways has achieved an unprecedented milestone by transporting over 3 crore passengers in a single day on November 4, 2024, marking a historic achievement in the country’s transportation history, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Railways on Wednesday.
On November 4, Indian Railways carried 120.72 lakh non-suburban passengers, including 19.43 lakh reserved passengers and 101.29 lakh unreserved passengers, along with a record 180 lakh suburban passengers, making it the highest single-day passenger count in 2024. The total passenger traffic on this day alone reached over 3 crore, setting a new benchmark for the country’s rail system.
The statement also highlighted that this record-breaking feat reflects the immense scale and operational efficiency of Indian Railways during one of the busiest periods of the year, as millions of people traveled across the country for the ongoing Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath Puja celebrations.
65 lakh passengers travel in 4,521 special trains in last 36 days
As part of its efforts to manage the huge demand during the festive season, Indian Railways has operated an additional 4,521 special trains between October 1 and November 5, 2024, carrying 65 lakh passengers. This surge in services was essential to cater to the increased travel needs during one of the busiest times of the year.
In a bid to make travel smoother during this high-demand period, Indian Railways had previously announced the operation of 7,724 special trains for the festive season, a remarkable 73% increase compared to last year’s 4,429 special trains. The Railway Ministry had planned for more than 175 special trains per day to ensure that no passenger was left without transportation during the peak festival rush.
Festive return rush
As the festive season winds down, Indian Railways is bracing for the return rush from November 8, 2024, following the end of Chhath Puja. The anticipated surge in passengers will see the deployment of 164 special trains on November 8, with additional trains scheduled for November 9, 10, and 11. These efforts are aimed at easing congestion and ensuring a smooth return journey for millions of passengers heading back to their homes.
Huge uptick in travel to Bihar, UP and Jharkhand
Between October 1 and November 5, 2024, Indian Railways transported around 6.85 crore passengers to Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand, through regular scheduled trains. This impressive number of passengers exceeds the combined populations of countries like Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the sheer scale of the travel during this period.