Home / Disasters and Accidents / Diwali Exodus: Chennai Faces Train Chaos
Diwali Exodus: Chennai Faces Train Chaos
4 Nov
Summary
- Thousands leave Chennai for Diwali, creating station rush.
- Unreserved train compartments are severely overcrowded.
- Railway police deployed to manage crowd control and safety.
As Diwali approaches, Chennai is experiencing a significant exodus of migrant workers heading home. This has led to extreme congestion at MGR Chennai Central railway station, with thousands seeking to travel to various northern states. Trains like the Howrah Mail and Shalimar Express are witnessing chaotic scenes due to the sheer volume of passengers vying for limited unreserved compartments.
Each unreserved LHB coach, designed for approximately 100 passengers, is reportedly accommodating over 200 individuals. Passengers are occupying every available space, including floors and doorways, leading to unsafe conditions. Some travelers report that passengers from unreserved coaches often infiltrate reserved sleeper compartments after Nellore, causing distress to ticketed passengers.
In response to the surge, Chennai Central station is on high alert. Additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed for crowd management and safety. Strict measures are in place to prevent the boarding of prohibited items like crackers and lighters, with officials emphasizing zero tolerance for troublemakers.
