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Patna, October 26: The four-day Chhath festival began on Saturday, but thousands of migrant Biharis faced difficulties traveling home due to overcrowded trains. Passengers were seen struggling to board trains at major stations, including Patna, with many traveling in unsafe conditions. The high demand for travel during the festival has put immense pressure on Indian Railways, highlighting long-standing infrastructural challenges in managing peak-season passenger traffic. Political tensions surfaced as former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav criticised the central government over the operation of special trains. Taking to social media platform X, the RJD leader accused the Centre of making “empty promises” that 12,000 trains would run for Bihar during Chhath. Lalu claimed, “My fellow Biharis are forced to travel in trains in an inhumane manner. How shameful is this?” He further blamed the NDA government for failing to create employment opportunities in Bihar, forcing millions to migrate to other states for work. Indian Railways ‘Fact Check’ Misfires as Netizens Slam It for Dismissing Real Footage of Overcrowded Train at Lucknow Station as Misleading. Lalu Yadav Slams Centre Over Overcrowding on Trains During Chhath Puja झूठ के बेताज बादशाह और जुमलों के सरदार ने शेखी बघारते हुए कहा था कि देश की कुल 𝟏𝟑,𝟏𝟗𝟖 ट्रेनों में से 𝟏𝟐,𝟎𝟎𝟎 रेलगाड़ियां छठ पर्व के अवसर पर बिहार के लिए चलाई जायेंगी। यह भी सफेद झूठ निकला। 𝟐𝟎 सालों की एनडीए सरकार में पलायन का दंश झेल रहे बिहारियों के लिए लोक आस्था के… — Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) October 25, 2025 Lalu also highlighted the broader issue of migration, stating that over 4 crore people from Bihar leave the state annually due to lack of local employment opportunities. He criticized the government for not establishing major industries in Bihar over the last two decades, calling the policies “anti-Bihar.” His comments sparked debate over the adequacy of transport arrangements and the government’s commitment to addressing regional development challenges. Congress Shares Video of Overcrowded Trains Amid Chhath Puja Travel Chaos; Railway Ministry Fact-Checks Clip, Says Footage Is From Previous Years. Railway Fact Check Responds To Lalu Yadav’s Claim #RailwayFactCheck त्योहारों के दौरान भारतीय रेल ने यात्रियों की सुविधा के लिए 12,000 से अधिक विशेष ट्रेनें संचालित की हैं — ताकि हर यात्री सुरक्षित रूप से दीपावली और छठ के लिए घर पहुँच सके। 🚆 त्यौहारों के समय भीड़ स्वाभाविक है, जिसे रेलवे कर्मचारी 24×7 निगरानी में… https://t.co/P4RxjRFlnM — Railway Fact Check (@IRFactCheck) October 25, 2025 Responding to Lalu’s claims, Railway Fact Check clarified that Indian Railways has indeed operated more than 12,000 special trains during festivals to ensure passengers can travel safely for Diwali and Chhath. The organization noted that about 6,000 trains have already run, with another 6,000 scheduled from October 28 to early November. It added that crowds are natural during festival travel and are being efficiently managed under 24×7 monitoring by railway staff. Railway Fact Check also shared the complete list of 12,000+ special train services operating across India for festival travel. Passengers are advised to check train schedules in advance to avoid delays and overcrowding. Despite challenges, authorities are urging travelers to remain patient and follow safety protocols while traveling during Chhath Puja.
