Indian Railways has introduced various strategies to handle the heavy passenger traffic at stations, as stated by Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Rajya Sabha. To alleviate congestion on platforms, permanent passenger holding areas will be established at 76 identified stations. These areas will offer amenities like seating, water facilities, ticket counters, information displays, and security checks to manage peak-hour crowds effectively.
The New Delhi Railway Station has already inaugurated its holding area, equipped with additional ticket counters, ATVMs, public announcement systems, CCTV surveillance, and other facilities. Similar facilities are being planned and executed at other stations to enhance passenger experience and crowd management. Access control measures will be enforced to allow only passengers with confirmed tickets direct entry to platforms, while others will be directed to designated holding areas.
Indian Railways is also working on installing wider foot-over-bridges at stations to facilitate smoother crowd movement. AI-enabled CCTV cameras are being deployed for real-time monitoring, and dedicated “war rooms” will be established at major stations for coordinated responses during emergencies. Additionally, new-generation communication systems and advanced announcement facilities will be introduced at high-traffic stations for improved passenger communication.
Railway staff and service personnel will receive QR code-based ID cards for secure access, along with new uniforms for easy identification in emergencies. The role of Station Directors at major stations will be enhanced, granting them financial powers for immediate decision-making. Station Directors will have the authority to regulate ticket sales based on capacity and train availability to prevent overcrowding effectively.
