In a high-level meeting chaired by Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday, several measures were announced to improve crowd control at railway stations across India. The decision comes after analysing congestion patterns from previous festive seasons and the Mahakumbh, according to news agency ANI.
To ease overcrowding, permanent waiting areas will be set up outside 60 major railway stations that frequently experience heavy footfall. Pilot projects have already begun at key stations, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Patna. Under this initiative, passengers will only be allowed onto platforms when their train arrives, reducing congestion and ensuring a smoother flow of people, ANI reported.
Additionally, complete access control will be implemented at these 60 stations. Only passengers with confirmed reserved tickets will be permitted onto platforms, while unauthorised entry points will be sealed to enhance security and streamline movement.
The Railways has also introduced two new foot over bridge (FOB) designs — one 12 metres (40 feet) wide and another 6 metres (20 feet) wide. These designs, which proved effective during the Mahakumbh, will be installed at all major stations to improve passenger movement and safety.
To enhance surveillance, cameras will be installed at stations and surrounding areas. These cameras will help monitor crowd movements and facilitate quick responses to any incidents. Furthermore, major stations will have dedicated war rooms where officers from different departments will coordinate operations during peak travel periods, the report further stated.
To expedite decision-making, a senior officer will be appointed as the station director at all major railway stations. These station directors will have financial authority to make on-the-spot decisions for operational improvements. They will also regulate ticket sales based on station capacity and train availability to prevent overcrowding.
The measures come after 18 people lost their lives in a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on the night of February 15. Investigation into the matter later revealed that the stampede was triggered by confusion over the delay of three trains, including one going to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh.