Return travel from Delhi to the Kumaon region is facing a sharp squeeze this week, with several trains carrying waiting lists and evening bus services already fully booked. The October 2 holiday falling alongside the weekend is expected to increase passenger movement towards Haldwani and Kathgodam.

2 Volvo buses and 2 AC buses scheduled to return from Delhi in the evening had reached full booking by Wednesday afternoon, according to the Haldwani depot. Sanjay Pandey, assistant regional manager of the depot, said passenger numbers are likely to rise over the weekend.

Seats are still available on services leaving Haldwani, offering some flexibility for travellers beginning their journey from the depot. The strongest pressure is currently visible on services returning from Delhi.

Waiting lists grow on key trains

Railway booking information shows that the Delhi-bound return leg of Sampark Kranti has waiting lists in its chair car for 1 October, 2 October and 3 October. The figures are 102, 90 and 64, respectively.

Its AC compartment has waiting lists of 55, 34 and 37 for the same 3 days. The Shatabdi Express is also heavily booked, with chair-car waiting numbers ranging from 25 to 99. Its executive class is reported to have a similar booking position.

The Ranikhet Express, which returns from Jaisalmer through Delhi, is also under pressure. Its sleeper class has waiting lists of 199, 119 and 88 for 1 October, 2 October and 3 October.

The train’s third AC and second AC coaches do not have vacant seats. For the Ranikhet Express returning to Kathgodam, even waiting tickets are unavailable in third AC for 1 October and 2 October.

A similar position applies to the Shatabdi departing from New Delhi on 2 October. Travellers seeking these services may therefore face limited options during the holiday-linked rush.

Contracted buses dominate Delhi operations

A separate change has affected the roadways fleet serving Delhi. BS-IV model buses operated by the corporation are no longer being sent to the national capital after headquarters issued instructions to remove them from the route.

The direction applies to buses from the Haldwani and Kathgodam depots, as well as BS-IV vehicles from across Kumaon. As a result, only contracted buses from the 2 depots are currently running as far as Delhi.

Roadways employee organisations have questioned the decision. They say BS-IV vehicles have not yet been prohibited in Delhi, and have raised concerns about management keeping the corporation’s own buses off the route.

What passengers should expect

The available booking information points to the greatest difficulty on Delhi-to-Kumaon services during the holiday and weekend period. Passengers using the Ranikhet Express, Sampark Kranti, Shatabdi Express or evening roadways buses may need to check availability before travelling.

The Haldwani depot has not reported a shortage of seats on services leaving the town. However, the return-side waiting lists and full evening bus bookings indicate that demand is uneven in the 2 directions.

Conclusion

Delhi-to-Haldwani and Kathgodam travel is under pressure around the October 2 holiday, while Haldwani-origin services still have seats. Railway waiting lists and full evening bus bookings are likely to shape travel plans through the weekend.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why are return services from Delhi crowded?

The October 2 holiday coincides with the weekend, increasing expected passenger movement towards Kumaon.

Q. Which train has the highest listed waiting figure?

The Ranikhet Express has a sleeper-class waiting list of 199 for 1 October.

Q. Are tickets available in the Ranikhet Express third AC?

Waiting tickets are unavailable for the train’s third AC on 1 October and 2 October while it returns to Kathgodam.

Q. What is the booking status of the Shatabdi Express?

Its chair-car waiting list ranges from 25 to 99, and its executive class is also reported to be similarly booked.

Q. Are bus services from Delhi fully booked?

The 2 evening Volvo buses and 2 AC buses returning from Delhi were fully booked by Wednesday afternoon.

Q. Are seats available on buses leaving Haldwani?

The Haldwani depot said seats are still available on services departing from the town.

Q. Why are corporation-owned BS-IV buses not operating to Delhi?

Headquarters directed that BS-IV buses from Haldwani, Kathgodam and other Kumaon depots be removed from the Delhi route.

Q. Who is questioning the bus decision?

Roadways employee organisations have questioned the move, saying BS-IV vehicles have not yet been prohibited in Delhi.