Rush for train, bus reservations as Konkan workers return to Mumbai after Ganeshotsav

Large numbers of chakarmanis who had travelled to the Ratnagiri and Rajapur areas from Mumbai and other parts of the state for Ganeshotsav are now heading back to their places of work after bidding farewell to Bappa. However, difficulties in securing train and state transport (ST) bus reservations have made the return journey far from easy.

The number of passengers travelling from Mumbai to Konkan during Ganeshotsav is always large. Once the festival ends, the flow reverses, with large numbers of passengers heading back towards Mumbai within a short span. As a result, reservations on many trains bound for Mumbai are already showing as full. Passengers who have not been able to get confirmed tickets are having to look for alternative means of transport.

With many unable to get train tickets, a large number are turning to ST buses, putting significant additional pressure on the regular ST bus services as well. On some routes, getting a reservation has become difficult, forcing passengers to travel on whichever bus is available.

Every year, special transport arrangements are made at various levels for chakarmanis travelling from Mumbai to Konkan for Ganeshotsav. Some political parties and organisations also provide free bus services, making the onward journey to their villages relatively easy for passengers. However, passengers say similar options are not available for the return journey to Mumbai once the festival ends.

Once their holidays are over, many chakarmanis have to report for work or duty in Mumbai on a fixed date, so even a delay of a day or two in travel can pose a major problem. Those travelling with family, senior citizens and families with young children are having to bear the brunt of the crowding.

With confirmed tickets unavailable, some passengers have no option but to board whichever bus or train they can get. Passengers say that given the rising crowds at railway stations and ST bus stands, proper advance planning should also be done for the return journey.

Given the growing number of passengers returning from Konkan to Mumbai, chakarmanis are demanding that the administration run additional ST buses and that the railway administration plan special trains and extra services as needed. Passengers say that if arrangements as timely and adequate as those made for the onward journey to their villages are also made for the return journey, the inconvenience faced by passengers could be reduced.