New Delhi, October 25: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that over 1.5 crore passengers have traveled by train so far during this festive season. He further projected that the total number of passengers will exceed 2.5 crore by the end of the season.

In a media interaction in New Delhi, Vaishnaw highlighted the steps taken to ensure smooth crowd management. "To handle the increased rush, large holding areas have been established at 30 major stations," he said.

Reflecting on the progress made in train operations, the Minister compared the present with the past. He noted that during the tenure of former Rail Minister Lalu Prasad, 178 special trains were introduced for the Diwali and Chhath festivals. In contrast, the number of special trains now exceeds 13,000 annually.

Vaishnaw also underscored significant improvements in railway safety. He pointed out that accidents have drastically reduced from more than 170 in 2014 to just 31 in the 2024-25 period. "Our focus remains on enhancing safety and ensuring a secure travel experience for all passengers," he added.

Additionally, the Minister revealed that railway track construction has increased substantially, from 400-600 kilometers annually in the past to over 4,000 kilometers per year now. "This development is crucial to improving connectivity and the overall efficiency of the railway network," he said.