The four-day Chhath festival, which began on Saturday, has once again brought into focus the challenges of transporting millions of migrant workers to Bihar. As devotees began returning to their native districts to offer prayers, overcrowding and logistical shortcomings in special trains became apparent, drawing sharp criticism from the Opposition, including Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Passengers returning to Bihar from across the country were seen grappling with long queues, difficulty in securing tickets, and journeys on trains packed far beyond their capacity. Videos circulating on social media showed people hanging from doors and rooftops, while others were forced to spend hours standing in tightly packed compartments. The scenes were described by Rahul Gandhi as “inhuman,” a reflection of the Opposition’s broader critique of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s management of transport during the festive season.

“Trains to Bihar are packed to the brim, getting tickets is impossible, and the journey has become inhumane,” Rahul Gandhi wrote on X, sharing a video of overcrowded compartments. He added that many trains were carrying up to 200 percent of their capacity, with passengers clinging to doors and rooftops. Gandhi framed these conditions as evidence of the “NDA’s deceitful policies and intentions,” alleging that the government was prioritising optics over the welfare of ordinary citizens.

RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav also weighed in on the controversy. Taking to X, he accused the government of failing to make adequate arrangements despite claiming to operate thousands of special trains. “The king of lies and rhetoric had proudly said that of 13,198 trains, 12,000 would be plied for Bihar to cater to the Chhath rush. This also turned out to be a white lie,” Lalu wrote. He added that the current situation demonstrated the government’s inability to manage the travel needs of migrant workers who have been moving to and from Bihar for the last two decades.

These attacks came in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s comments on Friday, in which he referenced the previous RJD government’s misrule and “jungle raj” prior to 2005 as a reason behind the widespread migration from Bihar. Lalu’s remarks directly countered the Prime Minister’s narrative, suggesting that current hardships were the result of the NDA government’s logistical failures.

The BJP was quick to counter these criticisms. National spokesperson Guru Prakash Paswan highlighted that the Indian Railways had fact-checked Lalu’s claims, confirming that 12,075 special trains were operating for the Chhath festival. He also contrasted this figure with the 178 special trains that were run during Lalu’s tenure, framing the current effort as a substantial improvement. Paswan accused the Opposition of using the festival to gain political mileage rather than constructively addressing the situation.

Congress also joined the chorus of criticism, organising a press conference in Patna led by national general secretary Avinash Pandey, who oversees organisational development in the state. Pandey expressed sympathy for the thousands of pilgrims enduring overcrowded conditions and questioned the feasibility of the government’s claims about special trains. “There are only 13,452 passenger trains in the country, then why was the false news of 12,000 trains for Bihar spread?” he asked. He added that many pilgrims were forced to sleep in train toilets during the journey, calling the situation “a brutal blow to Bihar’s folk faith.”

Railway officials, however, emphasised the scale of operations being undertaken to manage the festive rush. According to ministry data, 12,011 special train trips were scheduled between October 1 and November 30 to handle the flow of passengers during Diwali and Chhath. On average, about 196 special trains were expected to run daily across the country. Despite these preparations, the sheer volume of passengers created overcrowding in some key routes, highlighting the challenge of managing migration on this scale.

In addition to rail services, the Bihar government announced the operation of 204 special buses across five states—Delhi, Haryana, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh—from September 20 to November 30 to ease the movement of returning residents. The buses operate under a public-private partnership model, and the state also announced a ₹24 crore rebate on inter-state fares to support migrant travellers.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary highlighted the scale of the government’s efforts, noting that 12,739 special trains had been approved for the year, exceeding the 7,500 trains approved in 2024. Notifications for 8,591 of these trains had already been issued, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was personally monitoring schedules to ensure passengers’ safety and comfort. Choudhary emphasised that both the Centre and the state government were working collaboratively to facilitate the safe return of migrants for the festivals.

Officials noted that the busiest day so far had been October 18, with nearly 280 special trains in operation, while the lowest traffic was recorded on October 8, with around 166 trains running. The ministry had coordinated with all railway zones and divisions for months to plan schedules, allocate rolling stock, and manage station operations. Despite these measures, videos and reports from travellers highlighted continued overcrowding and difficult travel conditions.

The situation underscores the scale and complexity of India’s domestic migration, particularly during peak festive periods. Millions of migrant workers travel hundreds of kilometres to return home for Diwali and Chhath, placing immense pressure on railways, road transport, and local infrastructure. While the government points to the record number of trains and buses as evidence of preparedness, the Opposition’s criticisms focus on the lived experience of travellers who face hours of standing, limited seating, and overcrowded compartments.

The political debate over Chhath travel also reflects broader narratives about governance in Bihar. The BJP highlights its current administration’s infrastructure expansion and improved management of rail services, while the RJD and Congress frame the issue as proof of government mismanagement and neglect of ordinary citizens. In social media exchanges and press conferences, the debate has become both a festival-season concern and a political battleground, with leaders seeking to leverage public sentiment ahead of future elections.

As the four-day festival continues, railway authorities and state officials face the ongoing challenge of balancing massive passenger demand with available resources. The situation has prompted renewed discussion about long-term solutions to ensure safe, comfortable, and timely travel for millions of migrant workers, including additional trains, better scheduling, and improved coordination between state and central authorities.

Despite the controversy, both central and state governments reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating the journeys of festival-goers. The Chhath festival, which holds deep cultural and religious significance in Bihar and neighbouring states, remains a critical period for millions of workers to return home, creating both logistical challenges and opportunities for government authorities to demonstrate efficiency in managing one of India’s largest seasonal migrations.

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