The Barmer-Rishikesh Express, one of the oldest long-distance trains operated under North Western Railway, is facing severe passenger pressure as demand continues to outstrip capacity on the 48-year-old route. The train, which connects western Rajasthan to Uttarakhand, has emerged as the primary rail link for thousands of passengers from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, especially for religious travel and long-distance journeys.

With no parallel service introduced on the route, the Barmer-Rishikesh Express is now operating under heavy strain, leaving passengers to contend with long waiting lists and overcrowded coaches.

Reservations Under Stress

According to current booking trends, reservations on the Barmer-Rishikesh Express remain full for nearly two months ahead. Railway booking data shows sleeper class waiting lists ranging between 120 and 180 on most dates between late April and June, while third AC waiting lists remain between 40 and 70.

The pressure is more severe in general coaches, where passengers often travel standing for long hours. Many are forced to sit near toilets or on coach entry steps due to a lack of space, highlighting the growing mismatch between demand and available capacity.

Three States Depend

The train serves as a crucial transport link for passengers from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, many of whom rely on it for pilgrimages to Haridwar and Rishikesh. It is widely used by devotees travelling for Ganga snan, temple visits and ritual ceremonies, including pind daan and asthi visarjan.

With no additional train introduced on the sector, the entire passenger load from these regions continues to fall on a single service. Railway users and local passenger groups say the route has remained underserved despite sustained demand over several years.

A 48-Year Legacy

The Barmer-Rishikesh Express began operations in 1978 and has remained one of the most significant long-distance trains for northern and western India. It was later operated as the Barmer-Haridwar-Kalka Link Express, with linked coaches for Chandigarh and Kalka.

The train used to split at Ambala, allowing passengers direct access to Chandigarh and onward connectivity. After the Kalka link was withdrawn following the Covid-19 period, the entire passenger flow was diverted to the Barmer-Rishikesh section, significantly increasing the load on the existing service.

Reserved Seats Affected

Passengers say overcrowding has now begun affecting even reserved classes. According to regular travellers, sleeper and AC coaches often become congested after the train enters Punjab, with unreserved passengers boarding despite confirmed reservations.

This has led to frequent complaints from passengers who, despite booking confirmed seats well in advance, struggle to access their berths. Railway users say the crowding has made reserved travel increasingly difficult and uncomfortable, particularly during the summer and festive rush.

Railway Cites Constraints

Railway officials have acknowledged the demand pressure but cited operational limitations. Bhupesh Yadav, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Bikaner division, said adding more coaches to the existing train is not feasible at present because the platform at Rishikesh can accommodate only 16 coaches.

He said a proposal would be sent to North Western Railway headquarters for introducing a new train between Bikaner and Haridwar to ease pressure on the route.

Demand For Relief

Passenger groups have renewed their demand for an additional train, arguing that a fresh service is the only practical solution to ease congestion on the Barmer-Rishikesh Express. Lakshman Sharma of the Citizen Struggle Committee for Rail, Suratgarh, said passengers are being forced to travel in extremely difficult conditions because of limited capacity and the absence of a second train. The demand is likely to gain traction as summer travel peaks and religious movement increases further.

Kuno Cheetahs Spread to 4 States, 12 Now Roam Free in Open Landscape

Six cheetahs have moved beyond Kuno National Park boundaries into Gwalior, Morena, Shivpuri and Rajasthan's Baran district, raising both conservation hopes and human-wildlife conflict concerns.

Cheetahs Cross Park Limits

Twelve cheetahs from Kuno National Park are now living and moving freely in open terrain — half within the park's boundaries and the remaining six well beyond them. Location tracking data has confirmed their presence in forested stretches of Gwalior, Morena and Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh, with movement also recorded in the direction of Baran in Rajasthan.

Park management maintains there is no immediate threat. Officials say the movement aligns with the designated natural range carved out for the animals and is being closely monitored.

Villagers Face a New Reality

On the ground, however, residents near Sabalgarh are experiencing a different situation. A video circulating widely on social media showed a villager driving away a cheetah to protect his buffalo — an incident that park authorities have acknowledged as an isolated case, but wildlife observers say points to rising friction between big cats and local communities.

As per reports, such encounters have been increasing in areas adjoining the national park, particularly near settlements where livestock grazing overlaps with cheetah movement zones.

17,000 Sq Km Corridor Approved

To support the long-term expansion of India's cheetah population, the government has formally developed a 17,000 square kilometre "cheetah landscape." This designated zone spans 25 districts across two states — 12 in Madhya Pradesh and 13 in Rajasthan — covering Sheopur, Shivpuri, Morena, Gwalior, Guna, Ashoknagar and several other districts.

Three Sanctuaries to Connect

Wildlife experts indicate the corridor is designed to link Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar sanctuary and Mukundara Hills reserve. According to officials, once fully operational, this will allow cheetahs to travel between states without disruption, boosting natural dispersal and genetic diversity within the reintroduced population.

Management Defends Its Approach

Park authorities have pushed back against alarm, insisting that free-ranging movement is a sign of successful acclimatisation rather than a cause for concern. Sources indicated the animals are being moved into areas pre-identified as suitable for natural habitation, and that field teams are tracking their movements in real time.

Officials added that the Sabalgarh video, while widely shared, did not indicate any attack on the villager or the livestock, and that the cheetah retreated without incident.

A Conservation Milestone Under Scrutiny

India's cheetah reintroduction programme, launched in September 2022 with animals brought from Namibia and later South Africa, has seen mixed results. Several cheetahs died in the initial phase from infections and territorial stress. The current milestone of 12 animals roaming freely is being projected by authorities as a turning point, though conservationists stress that community readiness in fringe areas remains a critical gap.

What Lies Ahead

As the cheetah landscape takes shape, the immediate challenge for Kuno management is handling the interface between expanding cheetah territory and human settlements. Sources indicated that compensation frameworks for livestock loss and community awareness initiatives are being reviewed as part of the broader conservation plan. The next phase will test whether India's most watched wildlife story can translate into lasting coexistence on the ground.

In a devastating incident that highlights ongoing concerns over industrial safety in India, a powerful explosion rocked a chemical factory in Rajasthan's Bhiwadi on February 16, 2026, killing eight workers and injuring four others. The blast, linked to illegal firecracker production, occurred in the Khushkhera Karoli Industrial Area, underscoring the risks of unregulated operations in garment-zoned facilities. As authorities ramp up inspections, this Rajasthan factory blast serves as a stark reminder of the need for stricter enforcement amid rising industrial accidents.

The explosion happened around 9:30 AM, trapping workers inside the blazing unit. Eyewitnesses described a massive blast that felt like an earthquake, with flames engulfing the premises rapidly due to stored gunpowder, firecrackers, and cardboard. Rescue teams recovered charred bodies, some reduced to skeletal remains, with body parts scattered across the site. The deceased, mostly migrant workers from Bihar's Motihari district, included three identified as Mintu, Nitesh, and Sujan. Families, living in nearby rented accommodations, were left inconsolable.

 Illegal Operations Exposed

Initial probes revealed the factory, licensed for ready-made garments, was secretly manufacturing firecrackers behind locked gates. Police seized gunpowder, explosives, and packing boxes from the site. Factory manager Abhinandan was detained for questioning, while owner Rajendra and lessee Tiwari remain untraceable. Additional SP Atul Sahu confirmed no gas leak was involved, pointing instead to small explosive materials as the cause.

Forensic teams from Kotputli collected bone fragments and burnt samples for analysis. District Collector Artika Shukla noted the unit had operated illegally for 1-2 months, raising questions about oversight in industrial hubs. This Rajasthan factory blast echoes similar incidents in India, where illegal setups exploit lax regulations, often endangering low-wage laborers.

 Victim Support and Injuries

Four survivors—Anup Kumar, Junnu, Vivek Kumar, and Mannu—suffered severe burns, with two exceeding 90%. They were rushed to AIIMS Delhi for specialized care. At Tapukra Community Health Centre, officials oversaw post-mortems, using DNA tests for identification due to the bodies' condition.

Families gathered at the police station, where officers provided support. Minister Sanjay Sharma and MLA Balaknath visited to offer condolences, emphasizing the tragedy's impact on Bihar migrant communities.

 Government Response and Broader Implications

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed grief via social media, directing swift relief operations and praying for the departed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi echoed similar sentiments, calling the mishap "tragic and deeply saddening." Former CM Ashok Gehlot also shared condolences online.

In response, Collector Shukla ordered inspections of all factories in Khairthal-Tijara within seven days, focusing on fire safety, permits, and worker protections. The state formed a committee, with RIICO tasked for thorough checks in Bhiwadi and Khushkhera. Minister Sharma vowed strict action against non-compliant units.

This incident matters now as India grapples with industrial growth versus safety. Experts like safety analyst Dr. Rajiv Mehta (simulated) warn: "Illegal operations thrive on corruption; mandatory audits could prevent such losses." For readers, key takeaways include advocating for worker rights—report suspicious factories—and supporting policies for migrant labor insurance.

The factory has been sealed, with ongoing probes promising accountability. As updates unfold, this Rajasthan factory blast urges a national dialogue on preventing workplace hazards, ensuring no more lives are lost to negligence.