Northern Railway has geared up to manage the crowd at railway stations during Diwali and Chhath festivals. According to the data available till October 14, Northern Railway plans to run 4718 trips of special trains from September 19 to November 30. These are one thousand more rounds than last year. Apart from this, 23 regular trains have also been increased compared to last year.
Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Verma said that additional 2100 Railway Protection Force personnel will be deployed for security and crowd management at all major stations of Delhi. The period of Diwali and Chhath is the peak period of the entire year, hence parcel offices will remain closed for the next ten days.
‘The number of general coaches has also been increased’
Verma informed that 270532 additional seats/berths have been prepared between 27 September and 31 October 2025. This is approximately 22,000 more than last year. Apart from this, the number of general coaches has also been increased. This time 176409 additional seats/berths have been increased only in general coaches. Apart from this, Railways has made many special arrangements to ensure safe and smooth travel of passengers, taking lessons from big events like ‘Kumbh’. Holding areas have been created to manage the crowd of passengers in the station premises. Two separate holding areas of 5896.66 square meters have been created at Ajmeri Gate side of New Delhi station and 13,500 square feet at Anand Vihar station.
Holding area divided into three zones
The holding area created at New Delhi Railway Station has been divided into three zones. Pre ticketing zone, ticketing zone and post ticketing zone. Those passengers whose train is after 3-4 hours can stay in the pre-ticketing zone of the holding area. This zone has more than 100 urinals and drinking water facilities for the convenience of passengers. For drinking water, 2 taps have been installed outside the holding area while 10 taps have been installed inside the holding area.
Facility for those traveling by unreserved train
21 unreserved ticket windows have been made in the ticketing zone for passengers traveling by unreserved train. Apart from this, 18 temporary and 18 unreserved ticket windows have also been created temporarily, which will be made operational in view of the crowd. Apart from this, 25 ATVM i.e. Automatic Ticket Vending Machines have also been installed. Along with this, 22 assistants have also been appointed who will be able to issue tickets to the passengers.
Surveillance from AI-based cameras
A dedicated control room has also been created to monitor the crowd in the holding area at New Delhi Railway Station, where 20 AI-based cameras have been installed. They will count people in real time, so that the crowd can be controlled at the right time. Through these CCTV cameras, not only suspicious persons and objects can be monitored, but the Railways will also use it in such a way that if the crowd increases, then the Railways can quickly take the decision to run a special train.
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