Surat: To ease the rush of homebound migrant workers traveling in unreserved festival special trains towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Western Railway on Wednesday launched a mobile ticketing service at the busy Udhna Railway Station in Surat.

Just like every year, with the onset of Diwali and Chhath Puja, a significant number of migrant labourers employed in Surat’s textile sector are heading back to their hometowns. This year, the surge is also due to the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections. To manage this, Western Railway has introduced daily festive trains from Udhna to various destinations in UP and Bihar. The increased footfall has led to long queues at ticket counters, prompting the launch of mobile ticketing counters at passenger holding areas.

According to Western Railway officials, six clerks have been deployed at the station, each equipped with a tablet and a printer connected to the railway server. Passengers can now purchase general tickets on the spot by paying in cash, avoiding long waits at the main counters. On the very first day of the service, over 1,500 general tickets were issued through these mobile units.

Officials added that the mobile ticketing initiative could be extended to other nearby stations if required.

On Wednesday alone, eight special trains departed from Udhna for UP, Bihar, and Jharkhand, carrying thousands of migrant workers. To ensure smooth crowd management, RPF, GRP, and Surat city police have strengthened security and control measures at both Udhna and Surat stations.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), including acting president Ashok Jirawala, chairman Dr. Vijay Radadiya, and liaison committee co-chairman Atul Patel, met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to urge the operation of additional festival special trains between Surat and Saurashtra. DeshGujarat