Passengers struggle to board Ispat Express at Tatanagar station on Thursday. Picture by Animesh Sengupta

Trains originating or passing through Tatanagar and heading to New Delhi, Mumbai and destinations in South India are witnessing a huge rush of passengers, courtesy year-end holiday plans of Jamshedpureans.

Officials at reservation counters at Tatanagar station said waiting lists in several trains, including Howrah-Mumbai Geetanjali Superfast Express, Tata-Yeshwantpur Superfast Express and Puri-New Delhi Purushottam Superfast Express had crossed 170 between December 28 and January 3. Reservation quota in many of these trains has reached no-room status.

“Passenger footfall escalated after schools closed down for winter vacation. The rush is expected to continue till January 10,” said Awtar Singh, station manager of Tatanagar.

Tatanagar officials have written to South Eastern Railway (SER) headquarters in Calcutta, seeking additional coaches in long-distance trains.

“A third air-conditioned coach has been attached to Tata-Yeshwantpur but it is not going to suffice. Another sleeper coach is required for which we have written to SER headquarters,” said a senior railway official.

He added that additional coaches were also needed for trains running between Howrah and Tatanagar. “Howrah-Tata Steel Superfast Express and Howrah-Titlagarh Ispat Express are also witnessing a huge rush,” said the official.

SER had introduced a weekly special between Tatanagar and Visakhapatnam from December 16 to ease rush during Christmas. The train will run till the second week of January. “The weekly train has received great response,” said an official.

Chotanagpur Passengers’ Association and Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also demanded additional coaches. “Additional coaches must be introduced for the convenience of passengers,” said Vijay Moonka, a senior functionary of SCCI.