‘Socha tha late jaayenge kam bheed hogi, aur seat mil jaayegi’: Bihar migrants make last-minute trip for Chhath — and to vote

With the festival beginning today, some migrants had hoped for fewer crowds and a better chance of securing a seat. Others say they couldn’t get tickets earlier. They all now plan to return after polling on November 6.

Bihar votes in two phases — on November 6 and 11. Results will be declared on November 14.

Inside every sleeper and general compartment, the scene is similar: men clutching onto jute sacks, pressure cookers, utensils and baskets, while women carefully hold their children. Personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and CORAS commandos are stationed along the platform to maintain order.

Rahul Kumar (17) stands between the seats of a general coach, unable to find a place to sit. His hands press against the window, his bag dangling from his thumb, as he bends to take in a breath of fresh air. “Socha tha late jaayenge kam bheed hogi, aur seat mil jaayegi (I thought I’d travel later, the crowd would be less and I’d get a seat),” he says.

He is gently pushed by fellow passenger, Gopal Shah (32), who is sitting near the window, as Kumar’s bag falls on his face. “… the condition is very bad,” he says as they both exchange a comforting smile.

“Now we will come back after elections, we have taken permission for a long holiday,” they say in unison.

Shatrudhan Shah (38), who works in a sugar mill factory in Delhi, says his journey was delayed as tickets were unavailable. “I booked tickets for today, two months in advance, as these were the only ones available. Now, after all this struggle, I’ll return after elections,” he says.

He adds that a total of 18 family members are travelling on 10 tickets. “The only option left is paying a fine and travelling now,” he sighs.

The train departs at 8.10 am.

As reported earlier, the Indian Railways planned to operate 1,500 special trains, in addition to regular services, for five days starting from October 23 to cater to the festival rush.

On Platform 4, where another festival special leaves at 8.30 am, passengers have already boarded the train, while some stand near the gate as the officers push them inside to close the doors.

For Santosh Kumar (27), who works in an automobile shop and his wife, the election is the primary reason to go back home. “Vote hi dene jaa rahe hai (we are going to vote),” says his wife as Kumar plans to book their return journey once the polling ends.

Around 13 km away at New Delhi railway station, a similar scene unfolds later in the afternoon. Even before the Shramjeevi SF Express (train number 12392) arrives, a crowd has gathered on platform 1.

To maintain order, RPF personnel have formed human chains to not allow passengers to cross the yellow ribbon stretching from end to end of the platform. “Line ke peeche rahiye, gaadi platform par lagne waali hai (Stand behind the line, the train is about to arrive),” an official announces through a megaphone.

As the train arrives, anticipating the position of the general and sleeper coaches, the crowd surges forward. While others wait at the door to board, a family of three — father, mother and son — try to enter through the window. They slide in their luggage, followed by slippers and then themselves.

UPSC aspirant Ravi Kumar (24), who managed to clamber aboard, says he had to choose between going home for Diwali or Chhath. “I cannot take such a long break to enjoy both festivals, that’s why I’m taking a train today… I will come back as soon as Chhath ends,” he says, adding that he will miss out voting as his district goes to polls in the second phase.

Chandan Kumar (22), a factory worker in Okhla, says he had trouble convincing his boss to give him leave. “Minnatein toh karni padhti hai maalik ke saamne, isi wajah se ab jaa paa raha hun (You have to plead before the master — that’s why I’m finally able to leave now),” he says.

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