Heavy rush at Delhi's Anand Vihar station as people head home for Chhath; elaborate arrangements in place

The Chhath festival, celebrated primarily in the northern states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Delhi, draws millions of devotees who travel to riverbanks to offer prayers at sunrise and sunset. This year, the festival coincided with the weekend, prompting a large number of people to leave the capital and head to their hometowns. Anand Vihar, one of Delhi's busiest railway terminals, reported long queues, packed platforms and a noticeable increase in ticket sales for trains bound for eastern and northern destinations.

To cope with the influx, the railway authorities deployed additional staff, set up temporary waiting areas and increased the frequency of key train services. Security personnel conducted regular checks, while medical teams were stationed at entry points to handle any health emergencies. Portable sanitation units were installed, and announcements in multiple languages guided passengers through crowd control measures. These steps were taken to reduce the risk of accidents and to maintain order during the peak travel hours.

The significance of the travel surge extends beyond the festival itself. Seasonal migration patterns during major holidays often test the capacity of India's transport infrastructure, and the measures taken at Anand Vihar reflect a broader effort to improve passenger experience. For residents of Delhi and surrounding regions, efficient handling of such peaks can influence public perception of railway services and affect future travel planning during festive periods.