Surat Railway Station: The festive rush of migrant workers heading home for Diwali and Chhath has completely overwhelmed Surat’s Udhna Railway Station, with infrastructure buckling under massive crowds. Endless queues of passengers now snake through station premises, spilling into surrounding streets and residential neighborhoods. A common refrain echoes everywhere: “Brother, I just want to go home, but I can’t get a train ticket…”
Massive Queues Stretch Beyond Station Premises
Since Friday night (October 17), thousands of migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand have been stranded at the station. The crowds are so overwhelming that queues extend well beyond the station compound into adjacent areas. Elderly passengers, women, young children, and working-age adults stand together, battling heat, hunger, and thirst while hoping to catch their trains home.
According to reports, many people have been waiting in ticket lines for 12 to 18 hours straight. The situation outside the station is such that there’s barely any space left without people occupying it. Numerous passengers are sitting on platform floors, while others seek whatever shade they can find near neighboring houses and shops.
Railway Administration’s Claims Questioned
Railway authorities claim to have arranged additional trains to handle the festive rush. Before Chhath, officials announced plans to operate hundreds of extra special trains. However, ground reality paints a starkly different picture. Many passengers with confirmed tickets still cannot board trains. Those heading to UP and Bihar have been standing in queues overnight but haven’t managed to secure their journey yet.
People Standing In Lines For 12 Hours
One person waiting in line at Surat Railway Station shared that he needs to reach Bihar and has been standing in queue since 10 PM the previous night. Even after 12 hours, his turn hasn’t come, and he continues waiting. The roads show nothing but endless lines of passengers.
Another passenger waiting for a Prayagraj-bound train said he’s been queuing since 7 PM to reach home, but his turn still hasn’t arrived. Similar scenes are emerging from Mumbai and Delhi, where stations are witnessing massive passenger crowds, with train compartments packed to capacity.