Only confirmed ticket holders can enter platforms at 60 railway stations: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Only confirmed ticket holders can enter platforms at 60 railway stations: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Indian Railways is taking steps to manage crowds at busy stations, particularly during peak travel times. To prevent overcrowding on platforms, they’ve announced a new policy that will restrict entry to only passengers with confirmed tickets at 60 major stations, including Bengaluru. This decision was made following a meeting between Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and top railway officials, who recognized the need for crowd control measures at stations that experience heavy footfall.
As part of this initiative, the railway will create permanent waiting areas outside these 60 stations. Additionally, officials will be responsible for enforcing access control measures to ensure that only passengers with confirmed tickets are allowed onto the platforms.
“Complete access control will be initiated at the 60 stations. Passengers with confirmed reserve tickets will be given direct access to the platforms. Those without a ticket or with a waiting list ticket will wait in the outside waiting area. All unauthorized entry points at stations will be sealed,” the statement said.
The Indian Railways is rolling out its new access control system, which aims to prevent overcrowding on platforms, at five key stations: New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna. These pilot projects will test the effectiveness of restricting platform access to passengers with confirmed tickets, allowing them to enter only when their trains arrive. The goal is to manage crowds and prevent situations like the recent stampede at New Delhi Station, where 18 people lost their lives due to overcrowding. By creating designated waiting areas outside the stations, the railway hopes to contain large crowds and prevent them from overwhelming the platforms.
“During the 2024 festival season, waiting areas created outside the Surat, Udhna, Patna, and New Delhi railway stations were able to hold large crowds. Passengers were allowed on the platform only when the train arrived,” the statement said.
The success of similar crowd management strategies implemented at nine stations in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh has encouraged the Indian Railways to adopt similar measures. This includes constructing wider Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) to improve crowd flow. Two new designs for FOBs have been developed: one with a 12-meter (40 feet) width and another with a 6-meter (20 feet) width. These wider FOBs, featuring ramps for accessibility, proved to be effective in managing crowds during the Kumbh and will be implemented at other stations as well.
“A large number of cameras will be installed at all these railway stations and adjoining areas for close monitoring. War rooms will be developed at large stations. Officers of all departments will work in the war room during crowd situations,” it said.
Indian Railways is also introducing a new design ID card for staff and service personnel, along with a new uniform that will make them easily identifiable in a crisis situation. To further enhance station management, a senior officer will be appointed as station director at major stations. This station director will have the financial power to make quick decisions to improve the station. The goal is to create a more efficient and safe environment for passengers and staff alike.
“The station director will be empowered to control the sale of tickets as per the capacity of the station and the available trains,” the statement said.
