RailEnquiry

PUNE: A mere 100 to 150 people from the northeast boarded the Azad Hind Express on Monday evening. The numbers were down significantly from the thousands who went back to their hometowns last week.

As a result, the railway administration did not attach any additional coach to the rake on Monday. "The scene at platform number one from where the train to Howrah left on Monday was like any other day's. Around 50 unreserved tickets for Howrah were sold. On Thursday and Friday, two additional coaches had to be attached to the rake to clear the rush of passengers. On Saturday, one coach was added," an official of the railway administration said.

An RPF official said the crowd on Monday was mainly due to Eid. "Many were returning to their home states after celebrating Eid in Pune. A few people from the northeast were on the train," he said.

Ramas Das, a resident of Assam, who boarded the train with his family, said he was returning home as many of his colleagues had already left the city over the last three days. Das said his relatives in Assam wanted them back. "They stay in a remote area. Regular communication with them is not possible. It would be better if I go home for a few days," Das added.

Soma Hazara, another resident of Assam, said he would return to Pune after a few days. "People in Assam advised me to return for a few days. The situation there is still not normal," Hazara said.