• By Akansha Pandey
  • Wed, 10 Dec 2025 10:35 AM (IST)
  • Source:Jagran News Network
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The ongoing crisis affecting IndiGo airlines has triggered severe congestion on the rail network, making travel to Delhi and Mumbai increasingly difficult. Despite intervention by the North Eastern Railway (NER), passengers face acute shortages of confirmed tickets, leading to chaotic scenes at stations in Gorakhpur and Varanasi.

1. Special Trains Insufficient

In response to the surge in demand, NER operated a total of eight clone special trains bound for Delhi and Mumbai:

  • Four originating from the headquarters in Gorakhpur.
  • Four originating from Varanasi.

However, these measures have proven insufficient. All special trains were fully booked immediately upon the opening of reservations. Passengers who delayed booking were left without confirmed seats, and demands for additional special trains continue to rise.

2. Critical Availability Status (Until December 24)

A "No Room" status currently exists across almost all classes for trains heading to Delhi and Mumbai. The scramble for tickets has resulted in the following status for major express trains:

12555 Gorakhdham Express:

Sleeper And AC Second Class: 'No Room' until December 15.

AC Third Class: Waiting list of 135 for December 11.

22537 Kushinagar Express: 'No Room' in Sleeper and AC Second Class until December 24.

Avadh Express: No tickets available in any class until December 24.

3. Ground Situation: Chaos On Platform 9

The situation on the ground, particularly regarding the Gorakhdham Express at Platform Number 9, is critical:

  • Overcrowding: Long queues persist with no sign of shortening. Even after waiting for hours, many passengers are unable to secure seats.
  • General Coaches: With no standing room left, passengers are forced to travel standing in aisles and near the doors.
  • Lack Of Assistance: Passengers have reported difficulties regarding tickets, seat allocation and a lack of guidance on the platform.

4. Administrative Measures

To manage the escalating crowds and assist passengers, the station management has implemented the following measures:

Staff Deployment: In addition to dozens of security personnel already on site, two commercial department employees have been specifically deployed to assist passengers of the Gorakhdham Express with ticket-related queries.

Ticket Counter Reorganisation:

North Gate (Platform 9): The general ticket counter will now be closed at night (from 9:00 pm to 4:00 am) as it remains deserted during these hours.

Main Gate: Due to heavy crowds at the main entrance, an additional ticket counter will be opened to facilitate passengers.

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