Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway recorded an unprecedented passenger footfall of 2,63,39,698 (over 2.63 crore) from Sashti to Dashami during Durga Puja 2026, marking an increase of approximately 33.44% over the previous year.
The record highlights the crucial role of suburban railway services in facilitating the movement of millions of people across Kolkata and adjoining areas during West Bengal’s biggest annual festival. The extended festive period, which included one additional day with Saptami, also contributed to the overall rise in passenger movement.
To accommodate the massive festive rush, Sealdah Division operated 266 special train services between Sashti and Dashami, providing additional travel options and helping passengers reach their destinations.
Among the stations witnessing particularly heavy passenger movement were Sealdah, Dum Dum, Bidhannagar Road, Sonarpur, Ballygunge, Ranaghat and Kalyani. Kalyani recorded a notable increase of approximately 14.01% in passenger footfall, reflecting the heightened demand for suburban rail services during the festive season.
Co-ordinated Efforts Ensure Crowd Management:
Managing the enormous passenger volume required close coordination among the Commercial, Operating, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Medical and other departments of Sealdah Division. Under the leadership of DRM/Sealdah Rajeev Saxena, railway personnel and volunteers were deployed at stations to guide passengers, regulate crowd movement and provide assistance.
Public announcement systems and megaphones were used to facilitate passenger guidance, while continuous monitoring through the divisional war room strengthened operational preparedness and enabled close supervision of crowd movement. The coordinated efforts helped maintain safety and ensure smoother passenger movement throughout the festive period.
DRM Appreciates Railway Staff and Passengers:
DRM/Sealdah Rajeev Saxena appreciated the dedication and teamwork of railway employees and frontline personnel in managing the unprecedented festive rush.
He acknowledged the contribution of all departments, noting that the operation of special trains and effective crowd management measures played a vital role in facilitating passenger movement.
The DRM also expressed gratitude to passengers for their cooperation, patience and understanding during the busy festive period, emphasising that their support was instrumental in managing the exceptionally high footfall.
The achievement underscores Sealdah Division’s operational preparedness and the collective commitment of its workforce to providing safe, convenient and reliable suburban rail services during major public festivals.
