Railway Ministry Unveils Comprehensive Plan to Tackle Crowd Congestion at Major Stations

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): In a bid to address the growing concern of crowd congestion at major railway stations across the country, the Railway Ministry has announced a series of measures aimed at streamlining passenger flow and ensuring a safer travel experience. One of the key decisions taken by the Railway Ministry is the creation of permanent waiting areas at 60 major railway stations, including New Delhi Railway Station, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna Junction. These waiting areas will serve as designated spaces where passengers can wait until their trains arrive, thereby reducing congestion on platforms. To further manage crowd flow, the Railway Ministry has decided to restrict access to platforms only to passengers with confirmed reserved tickets. This move is expected to reduce unnecessary crowding on platforms and minimize the risk of accidents. In addition to restricting access to platforms, the Railway Ministry has also decided to seal all unauthorized routes at railway stations, except for the main exit. This measure is aimed at preventing overcrowding and ensuring that passengers use designated entry and exit points.

 To further enhance safety and security at railway stations, the Railway Ministry has decided to install a large number of cameras at stations and surrounding areas. War rooms will also be set up at major stations, where officials from all departments will coordinate to manage crowd flow and respond to emergencies. The Railway Ministry has also announced plans to construct new foot overbridges (FOBs) with widths of 12 meters (40 feet) and 6 meters (20 feet) at railway stations. These wide FOBs will include ramps to facilitate better crowd movement, inspired by the success of similar infrastructure during the Maha Kumbh festival. To ensure seamless implementation of these measures, the Railway Ministry has decided to appoint Station Directors at major railway stations. These senior officers will be authorized to take financial decisions on the spot and regulate ticket sales based on station capacity and train availability.