The Vijayawada Division of South Central Railway successfully managed the surge in passenger traffic during the Sankranti festival through detailed planning, coordination and operational efficiency. To meet the heightened travel demand, the division operated 254 special trains, ensuring smooth and safe movement of passengers across the region.

Of the total special trains, 54 originated from Vijayawada, 56 terminated within the division and 144 passed through, highlighting Vijayawada’s strategic importance as a major railway hub during peak festive travel periods.

January 12 emerged as the most challenging day of the season, with Rajahmundry station handling 198 trains despite being a bottleneck with limited operational flexibility. On the same day, Vijayawada Junction managed 296 trains, demonstrating strong operational capacity and effective traffic management.

Railway personnel at key stations worked round the clock, focusing on train regulation, platform management, crowd control, signalling and passenger guidance. Teams across departments, including station staff, pointsmen, loco pilots, guards, and signalling and engineering personnel, collaborated closely and often extended duty hours to maintain safety and punctuality.

The successful handling of the Sankranti rush underscored the professionalism and dedication of railway employees, whose efforts ensured safe travel for large volumes of passengers during one of the busiest periods of the year. Mohit Sonakiya, Divisional Railway Manager, said managing the Sankranti rush is always a major operational challenge and noted that coordinated teamwork played a crucial role in delivering seamless operations this year.