On November 4, 2024, Indian Railways set a monumental record by transporting over 3 crore passengers in a single day, marking a historic achievement in the network’s operational history. This remarkable feat occurred during a busy festive season, specifically during the celebrations of Diwali and Chhath Puja, reflecting a strong demand for rail travel during these crucial times.
On this day, 120.72 lakh (12.072 million) non-suburban passengers traveled via Indian Railways, which included approximately 19.43 lakh reserved passengers and 101.29 lakh unreserved passengers. Additionally, the suburban networks saw record utilization, carrying about 180 lakh (18 million) passengers. Comparison to Population: The total number of passengers transported on this day exceeded the combined populations of Australia and New Zealand, highlighting the scale of this achievement.
Special Train Operations: In preparation for the increased travel demand, especially during the festive period from October 1 to November 5, Indian Railways had arranged for 7,724 special trains (a 73% increase from the previous year) to aid passenger movement. Over 6.5 million additional passengers were facilitated using these special services.
The Indian Railways continues to operate numerous special trains post this record-setting day to manage the anticipated return rush, ensuring that passengers returning from their festive journeys are accommodated without significant inconvenience.
The achievement of carrying over 3 crore passengers in a single day reflects the competency and responsiveness of Indian Railways in meeting the travel demands during peak festival seasons. It stands as a significant illustration of the vital role that rail transport plays in facilitating mass mobility across the vast and diverse country of India.