Dussehra Travel Rush Creates Long Waitlists on Trains From Hyderabad

Travel Rush

Passengers planning to travel from Hyderabad for the Dussehra festival face long waitlists on trains departing from major city stations, causing worry among those wanting to visit their hometowns. The state government already announced festival holiday dates, leading city residents to book tickets for visits to their native places, famous temple towns, and tourist spots. Booking status up to Wednesday shows that getting a confirmed ticket has become nearly impossible.

Booking Situation

Railways allow passengers to book tickets up to two months in advance, prompting city residents to reserve their seats well ahead of the festival. This high demand shows clearly in trains starting from Kacheguda, Secunderabad, Nampally, Cherlapally, and Lingampalli stations. Because train ticket prices remain very low, people prefer traveling by train, which causes tickets to sell out quickly during festivals, holidays, and weekends. Despite the long waitlists, travelers still try to reach their destinations by train, hoping their waitlisted tickets might eventually clear.

Context

Festivals in India consistently trigger massive travel movements as millions try to return home to celebrate with family. Indian Railways remains the most popular mode of long-distance transport due to its affordable fare structure compared to buses or flights. Major railway junctions in urban centers like Hyderabad experience severe crowding during every holiday season because demand vastly outstrips the available train capacity.