Now Reading: Chhath migrants face return squeeze: trains full, airfares double
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Chhath migrants face return squeeze: trains full, airfares double
The Story in Brief
Lakhs of migrants who travelled home for Chhath Puja now face a tough return journey. Trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat and Punjab are fully booked from 17 November for at least a week, with waiting lists exceeding 100 on several routes and some trains showing no room.
With train seats unavailable, airlines have sharply hiked fares. Flights from Patna to Delhi and Mumbai now cost several times the normal rate. The rush is expected to peak after the final Chhath offerings on 16 November.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Bihar's festive exodus creates a familiar crush: rail capacity on major routes from Patna, Rajgir and other stations is exhausted before the return wave even begins. The 12391 Shramjeevi Express already shows waiting lists above 100 in sleeper and third AC classes from 17 November. With airfares surging, low-income migrant workers have few affordable alternatives. The next real checkpoint is 16 November: after the morning arghya, demand will spike further, and the Railways' ability to run special trains will determine whether stranded passengers can leave at all.
Source: amarujala.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
