Surat: Udhna railway station is witnessing a massive rush of passengers traveling to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar ahead of Diwali, Chhath Puja, and the Bihar Assembly elections. Thousands of commuters, mostly migrant workers, are heading to their hometowns, creating scenes where there is barely space to step on the platform.

Amid the scramble for train tickets, children and the elderly were seen panting, yet the station resonated with an air of enthusiasm and anticipation as people prepared to reunite with their families. Surat, a hub of India’s diamond and textile industries, hosts a large migrant workforce. As every year during the festive season, these workers are eager to return home. Additionally, the announcement of the Bihar elections has made this one of the busiest periods at Udhna station in recent years.

To manage the surge, additional special and unreserved trains have been scheduled alongside regular services. Surat Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) teams are monitoring the station, while CCTV cameras and drones are being used to maintain order. Authorities have urged passengers to cooperate with security personnel to ensure smooth movement.

The high passenger turnout is expected to continue over the next few days. To facilitate travel, the railway has also set up extra current ticket windows at Udhna station while running special trains. DeshGujarat