Crowds at Indian railway stations rise during Diwali and Chhath travel

1. What happened

   Reports from several Indian outlets describe heavy passenger crowds at railway stations and trains during the Diwali and Chhath festival travel period. Coverage includes a video from Bhopal station that AajTak says shows passengers struggling with luggage and children.

2. When it started

   Coverage appeared around 8 November 2026, according to the source links. The exact dates of the crowding are not specified in the materials provided.

3. How it spread

   According to Dainik Bhaskar, passengers at Bina junction were travelling by hanging from train gates amid long waits. Jagran reports that trains from Delhi and Mumbai to Gorakhpur had no room left for passengers.

4. Why it matters

   Festival travel creates peak demand on trains, which the reports say has led to overcrowding and difficulty getting seats. The reports describe this as causing passenger safety concerns and travel hardship. Official responses from railway authorities were not included in the materials provided.