Diwali Traffic Chaos: Nine Chain Pulling Incidents on Pune Trains in Seven Days

A family frantically tried to catch their train to Danapur on Veer Santaji Ghorpade Road, showing the desperation of commuters trying to reach their destinations during the Diwali rush. Many passengers, like Roshan Tiwari, managed to board their trains, but others were not as lucky, with several missing their trains due to heavy traffic in the city this week. The chaos led to nine chain pulling incidents on different trains in the past seven days, with the RPF arresting nine people.

Key Takeaways:

• Nine chain pulling incidents occurred on different trains in the past seven days, resulting in the RPF arresting nine people.
• Heavy Diwali traffic in the city this week, particularly in the evening, caused chaos for home-bound passengers, with several missing their trains.
• Passengers are advised to be aware of the road congestion during Diwali shopping and arrive at the station around two hours before their train's scheduled departure time.
• Many passengers approached RPF officers pleading to be adjusted in other trains after missing their designated train, with some weeping and requesting help.
• The RPF tried to adjust people with reserved tickets in other trains going to the same destination or asked them to wait for the next day.
• A family of Nagendra Sah arrived at the Pune station early to avoid missing their train, saying they didn't want to face the same situation as another family who had been at the station since last evening.
• Passengers of a Pune-Hazrat Nizamuddin Festival Special train, scheduled to depart at 5.30pm, arrived at the station around 7am to avoid missing their train.
• Bus passengers also faced difficulties, with one passenger missing a Lal Paari bus by a whisker and saying it's as difficult to reach Swargate bus stand as climbing Mount Everest due to heavy traffic.

Statistics:

• 9 chain pulling incidents occurred on different trains in the past 7 days.
• 9 people were arrested by the RPF.
• The traffic congestion during Diwali shopping caused multiple train delays and cancellations.
• Many passengers arrived at the station too late to board their trains, with some being forced to wait for the next day.

Sources:

• BYline: Joy.Sengupta@timesofindia.com
• Reported on: Thursday late evening and Friday morning
• Sources: RPF, passengers who missed their trains, and traffic authorities