West Bengal-Bound Trains Packed as Workers Head Home to Vote in Assembly Polls
Chennai's Central railway station witnessed significant crowding on Thursday evening as guest workers from West Bengal boarded trains to return home ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. The polls are scheduled for April 23 and 29, prompting many families working in and around the city to head back to their native state.
Passenger Experiences and Plans
As the Howrah Mail pulled into the station, railway protection force personnel organized passengers into queues before they boarded four unreserved coaches. Chinmay Dholai, one of the passengers, shared his motivation for the journey. "We are going home to vote and spend time with our families. We will return only after a month," he said, highlighting the dual purpose of political participation and family reunions.
In contrast, Rajiv from Kharagpur indicated a shorter stay. "I work at a juice shop in Palavakkam. I will come back in 15 days," he explained, reflecting the varied timelines among workers based on their employment commitments.
Railway Operations and Safety Measures
Railway protection force personnel not only managed the boarding process but also advised travellers on essential safety precautions during their journey. A railway official noted that since Monday, both the Coromandel Express in the morning and the Howrah Mail in the evening have been carrying large numbers of workers, indicating a sustained trend of migration ahead of the elections.
This surge in passenger traffic underscores the significant impact of political events on transportation networks and the mobility of India's workforce.
