Post-Holi Rush: Increase in Footfall at Airports in Major Cities

Following the festivities of Holi, a surge in airport crowds has been observed, particularly in major cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, and Bangalore. The number of passengers boarding flights to these destinations has notably increased, with Wednesday witnessing 160 travelers boarding an Air India Express flight bound for Sharjah. Similar trends have persisted across all flights until the final week of March.

Additionally, heavy crowds are being reported on buses and trains as travelers return to their workplaces after the holiday. Local managers of airline companies have indicated that the influx of commuters returning to their destinations commenced post-Holi. However, it is anticipated that the passenger volume will continue to rise after Sunday, as many individuals have booked flights for Monday due to the three-day holiday period encompassing Good Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Furthermore, individuals are making use of this time off to explore neighboring states, leading to a surge in ticket bookings for destinations around the vicinity.

Flights from Varanasi to major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata are witnessing occupancy rates of 70 to 80 percent. Approximately 30 flights operate from Babatpur to other cities, with a similar number arriving at Varanasi from other destinations. The route between Varanasi and Delhi boasts the highest frequency of flights, followed by connections to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, and Hyderabad, among others, with the number of flights fluctuating according to the schedule.

Airport officials have reported an increase in load factors on flights, with flights operating at full capacity even on Thursdays. According to Vikrant Singh, manager of Air India Express, travelers have begun returning as soon as the Holi festivities conclude, with approximately 160 passengers boarding a flight bound for Sharjah on Wednesday.

Special Train Services from Today: New Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Vaishno Devi
Special train services numbered 04081/04082 will operate between New Delhi and Varanasi for two rounds from March 28 to 31. This train, consisting of 18 coaches, will depart from New Delhi at 8:45 PM on March 28 and arrive at Varanasi Cantt at 1 PM the following day. On March 31, the train will depart from Varanasi Cantt at 9 PM and arrive at its destination at 12:30 PM.

As per Senior DCM Rekha Sharma, train number 04085/04086 will operate between Varanasi and Mata Vaishno Devi Katra on March 28 and 29.

Crowd Management Measures: Scout Guides Deployed at Varanasi and City Stations
To manage the post-Holi rush effectively, scout guides, along with security personnel, have been deployed at Varanasi station. These guides will be stationed until March 30, providing crowd control and awareness services. Additionally, an awareness campaign on crowd control and management is being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Railway Bharat Scouts and Guides District Association.

Operation Smart: Cracking Down on Unauthorized Travelers
Under the leadership of Senior Commercial Manager Sheikh Rahman, Operation Smart has been initiated to regulate the flow of passengers traveling long distances from various stations in the Varanasi Mandal. As part of this operation, ticketing and RPF teams from Varanasi Mandal will conduct ticket checks and prevent unauthorized travelers from boarding reserved compartments.