Railway Official Stunned as Women Claim PM Modi Allowed Free Travel Without Tickets
A senior railway official in Bihar was taken aback when a group of rural women confidently asserted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had permitted them to travel without tickets.
The incident occurred at Buxar railway station, which borders Uttar Pradesh, and a video capturing the interaction between Danapur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar and the women has since gone viral on social media.
Unexpected Encounter at the Railway Station
On Sunday, DRM Jayant Kumar was inspecting Buxar railway station to assess the heavy influx of pilgrims heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh. The crowd surge has been overwhelming and has even been cited as one of the factors contributing to the tragic stampede at New Delhi railway station, which claimed the lives of at least 18 people on Saturday night.
During his inspection, the DRM noticed a group of women of varying ages standing near the railway tracks. Curious about their presence, he approached them and asked what they were doing. The women promptly responded that they were waiting to board a train to Prayagraj.
The claim of Free Travel Leaves Official Stunned
Seeking further clarification, the DRM asked, “Do you have tickets?” When the women admitted that they did not, he pressed further, “Who told you that you can travel without tickets?”
Without hesitation, the woman confidently replied, “Narendra Modi told us so.” Their unexpected answer left onlookers amused, with some grinning as the DRM took a moment to process the response.
Regaining his composure, the railway official firmly corrected their misunderstanding, explaining, “You are mistaken. Neither the prime minister nor any other authority has permitted this. If you want to travel, you must purchase a ticket. Otherwise, you could face legal consequences.”
Railway Preparations for Maha Kumbh
Later, while addressing the media, DRM Jayant Kumar acknowledged the extraordinary rush of passengers due to the ongoing Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. He stated, “We had planned for an increased footfall similar to festive seasons. However, what is unusual this time is that the crowd remains heavy even when we expected it to subside. Nevertheless, we are fully prepared to manage the situation.”
The Maha Kumbh, a grand religious congregation, is scheduled to conclude on February 26, coinciding with the Maha Shivratri festival.
Unprecedented Pilgrim Turnout at Maha Kumbh
According to official estimates, more than 50 crore devotees have already visited Prayagraj for a sacred dip at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers. With the festival still ongoing, authorities are working tirelessly to manage the overwhelming number of pilgrims and ensure smooth travel arrangements.