Past fews days saw several news on trains losing their way. Thr seems to be a lack of info on operational aspect of Shramiks.
Shramik specials are end to end trains with few stoppages near the destination. This is similar to freight movement. 1/n @IRTSassociation @avishekgd

Freight trains planned on routes as per traffic density. Ex One can reach Gorakhpur from New Delhi by either Moradabad-Sitapur-Gonda route of Moradabad-Lucknow-Barabaki route. In case of goods trains, the moment Sitapur route gets congested, trains are sent to LKO-BBK route. 2/n

In both these cases, Gonda becomes the coverging point. If Gonda starts getting congested, all North Bihar bound trains and beyond Gorakhpur trains can be planned on an entirely different Moradabad-Lucknow-Sultanpur-Banaras City- Bhatni route. This was utilised on 25-05-20. 3/n

Gorakhpur, Basti, Deoria, Mau, Azamgarh are witnessing heavy inward traffic. So for any destination beyond Gorakhpur, if we witness any congestion at Gonda, we start diversion. On 25-05 12 trains were diverted towards Sultanpur Varanasi. 4/n

An image of how we detect congestion. Its called a control chart (distance-time graph) on stations towards Gonda. The curve seems flattening in the DN direction towards Gonda. This is due to stopping Shramiks for deboarding, food, water etc. 5/n

This story of congestion actually starts nodes like Kanpur, LKO, Mankapur-Prayagraj. The diversion planning starts at Khandwa point to avoid Kanpur, Allahabad and directly reach Dehri on Son. It a complex exercise, planning traction, crew, route. 6/n

On a congested route, instead of pushing more trains, even a reduction of 3-4 trains help in reducing congestion drastically. Will do another series on Khandwa, NKJ diversions. n/n