Watch | Maha Kumbh first AC passenger shares shocking visuals of overcrowding in train

Indian Railways is witnessing a surge in the number of passengers traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, one of the largest religious gatherings. This surge in demand has created a need for additional services. To handle the large volume of passengers, the railway network has introduced numerous special trains in order to make it possible for travelers to reach their destination conveniently. In spite of all these additional services, the high demand has led to transportation-related issues. Traveling on many trains, planes, or buses is becoming tough for many, and not everybody manages to book a seat, resulting in overcrowded conditions and long waiting times.

The experience of one of the passengers who came across such an incident is of Piyush Agarwal, whose video he uploaded to social media:. Agarwal had bought a First AC ticket, assuming he would get a comfortable journey as the cost of this service is almost like flight fares. But when he boarded, he found that though he was paying for a premium service, the train was overcrowded. And when he opened the door to his First AC coupe, what he saw was overcrowding outside the compartment. Passengers were sitting on the floor, others standing, and the general congestion made it nearly impossible to access the washroom. This situation contrasted his expectations typically associated with First AC travel, creating significant discomfort for paying customers.


The video shared by Piyush Agarwal quickly gained attention on social media, sparking mixed reactions. A number of viewers responded that letting in more passengers to the compartment might have been an easier way to solve the problem. Other attacks went to the behavior itself saying it was inappropriate and unacceptable. Several of them also added that such situations as overcrowding when passengers pay for higher-tier services point out the larger problem at hand. The trend is the increase in people asking for authorities to intensify the measures on the protection of interest concerning the paying commuter's comfort by putting enough strong measures when transport is high.

Transport to Prayagraj has become so in-demand, with trains, buses, and flights fully booked ahead of the Maha Kumbh. Even special trains introduced by Indian Railways are operating at full capacity, and many passengers have to travel in unsafe conditions, as they do not have any seats. Crowding is becoming a problem to all classes- premium First AC compartments are included where unauthorized individuals are boarding with discomfort to other ticketed passengers. As the situation deteriorates, people are traveling without tickets, and the situation becomes chaotic. Other than Indian Railways' efforts, this situation does reflect the need for better management and experiences for premium passengers during peak times.
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