CHAOS ALERT: Bihar Exam Rush Overcrowds Gaya & Patna Stations, Reserved Passengers Stranded

A massive rush of passengers was witnessed at Gaya and Patna railway stations in Bihar following the conclusion of a major recruitment examination, leading to chaotic scenes late into the night. Thousands of candidates attempting to return home after the exam flooded platforms, resulting in overcrowding, confusion, and severe disruption of normal train services. At Gaya Junction, platforms were seen packed beyond capacity as passengers struggled to board trains bound for various destinations. Several individuals were observed pushing through crowds to enter coaches, while others attempted to climb through windows due to the extreme congestion. In multiple instances, even passengers holding reserved tickets were unable to access their designated coaches. The situation escalated further when trains arrived at the platform, with large groups rushing simultaneously to secure seats. Some passengers reported being forced to abandon their journey due to the overwhelming crowd. Despite the operation of special exam trains from Gaya to Patna, the volume of passengers far exceeded available capacity. Similar scenes were reported from Patna Junction, where returning candidates continued to face severe overcrowding. Visuals showed passengers standing at doors, hanging near entrances, and in some cases entering through windows in a desperate attempt to find space inside coaches. The overcrowding also affected regular passengers, many of whom expressed frustration over being unable to access their reserved seats. Eyewitnesses described long waiting times, lack of adequate crowd management, and insufficient train availability as key challenges during the rush. Several passengers alleged mismanagement and called for stronger planning and deployment of security personnel during large-scale examinations. The incident has once again highlighted the logistical strain placed on Bihar’s railway infrastructure during major competitive examinations, raising concerns over crowd control, scheduling, and passenger safety during peak travel periods.