RailEnquiry

PUNE: On Tuesday, the number of people from the northeast leaving Pune for their hometowns on the Howrah-bound Azad Hind Express dwindled further.There was no overcrowding in the unreserved compartments that had space left to accommodate more. On Monday, around 150 people from the northeast had left from the city.Railway officials said that no additional coach was attached to the rake on Tuesday, because of the decrease in rush. The railway protection force officials, who have been managing the crowd ever since the exodus began on August 16, said the situation has almost returned to normal.Railway officials said the rush on the train has decreased gradually over the last five days. Last Thursday, around 2,000 people from the northeast had boarded the train, with the number reducing to 1,500 on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, about 800 and 400 people, respectively, had boarded the train.Most people - including workers, professionals and students - had left the city in panic, saying that their families and relatives in the northeast had called them back. Many of them had said they would return once the situation became normal.The railway administration had attached two additional coaches to the rake on Thursday and Friday, while one additional coach was attached on Saturday. The police officials, mayor and student organisations had urged the people to not leave the city.