The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) will operate around 1,400 buses daily from Delhi’s Anand Vihar interstate bus terminal during the Diwali and Chhath travel rush, with 400 to 500 additional buses scheduled from November 5.
The arrangement is intended to reduce waiting times for passengers travelling from Delhi to cities across Uttar Pradesh, where demand is expected to rise sharply as migrant families leave the capital for the festivals. Anand Vihar is a major departure point for Uttar Pradesh-bound passengers from Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region.
According to the report, UPSRTC will increase the number of services and add extra trips on routes facing the greatest passenger pressure. Lucknow and Gorakhpur have been given particular priority, while additional buses will also be available for Kanpur, Bareilly, Badaun and other major Uttar Pradesh destinations.
Some newer buses have been added to the fleet for the festival operation. The transport corporation also plans to redeploy buses from other routes towards corridors where passenger demand is higher, depending on conditions at the terminal and along the network.
Inderpal, the senior centre in-charge at Anand Vihar bus terminal, said the terminal handles around 50,000 passengers a day during the festival period. Additional police personnel will be deployed to help manage crowds, passenger movement and security, according to the report.
The expanded operation will also require additional drivers and conductors to remain available during the peak period. Under the reported plan, eligible drivers and conductors who perform continuous duty from November 6 to 17 will receive an allowance of Rs 400 per day in addition to their regular salaries. Contract workers will also be eligible for incentives for additional operations under the applicable conditions.
The measures reflect the annual pressure placed on Delhi’s inter-state transport network during the festive travel season. A sudden concentration of passengers at major terminals can affect boarding, circulation, security screening and traffic movement around approach roads, making fleet availability only one part of the operational challenge.
UPSRTC’s stated focus on Lucknow and Gorakhpur indicates that additional capacity will be directed first towards routes expected to see heavier demand. The corporation has not provided in the supplied report with a route-wise timetable, advance booking details or information on whether services will operate throughout the day or be concentrated during specific periods.
The additional bus operation is scheduled to begin on November 5, while the reported special duty and incentive arrangement for eligible staff will continue from November 6 to 17.
