Lucknow: Thousands of candidates traveling for the Uttar Pradesh Police Constable Recruitment Examination caused widespread disruption on the state's railway network on Monday, with overcrowded stations and trains leaving many passengers with confirmed reservations unable to board.
Exam Draws Nearly 29 Lakh Applicants
The three-day examination, which began Monday, has drawn nearly 29 lakh applicants for 32,679 posts, prompting large-scale movement between districts and heavy pressure on rail services. Platforms and coaches at major stations across Uttar Pradesh saw dense crowds, with passengers reporting that reserved compartments were filled by unreserved travelers.
Worst-Affected Trains
At Varanasi Cantonment, the Chauri Chaura Express (15003) was among the worst-affected. Passengers said they were blocked from entering reserved coaches due to the rush. Belal Abdullah, traveling with five family members and holding six confirmed AC 3-tier berths, posted on X that his family could not board and sought intervention and compensation. Videos shared by him showed jostling crowds and railway staff struggling to control access.
Similar scenes were reported at Gonda, including on the Vaishali Express. Social media posts alleged that overcrowding obstructed movement inside coaches and even access to washrooms.
Railway Response
Railway officials said special trains were run on routes including Gorakhpur-Lucknow and Varanasi-Ballia, with additional security deployed at stations such as Lucknow Charbagh and Varanasi Junction. The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the preparedness, calling for dignified travel arrangements for job seekers.
