India, Oct. 24 -- The sound of Chhath devotional songs is filling railway stations across India as lakhs of passengers rush home for the festival. With the festive season at its peak and Diwali and Chhath Puja just days apart this year, the Indian Railways has stepped up operations, adding thousands of special train trips and festive touches to ease the heavy travel rush.

The Railways have reportedly added over 12,000 special trains amid the festive rush, as people head home.

Western Railway General Manager Vivek Kumar Gupta said passenger movement has surged sharply this season, prompting the addition of nearly 2,000 extra trains on the Western Railway network alone. "We are running trains on demand. I am reviewing all the holding area...