To reduce overcrowding and improve passenger safety, Indian Railways will implement strict access control at 60 major stations nationwide, including Bengaluru.
Passengers with confirmed reserved tickets will be allowed to enter railway platforms, while those with waiting list tickets or no tickets must wait in designated areas outside the stations.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw introduced these measures following a high-level meeting with senior railway officials.
This initiative is designed to regulate passenger movement and avoid overcrowding, particularly during peak travel seasons.
Pilot projects for crowd control have already been tested at key stations like New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna.
This system ensures passengers access platforms only when their train is about to arrive, reducing sudden overcrowding.
During the 2024 festival season, temporary waiting areas at railway stations in Surat, Udhna, Patna, and New Delhi efficiently handled large crowds.
Similar measures at nine stations in Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh also proved effective in maintaining order.
Improved Infrastructure for Crowd Management
Indian Railways is upgrading infrastructure to enhance passenger safety and streamline movement.
Plans include constructing wider foot over bridges (FOBs) with two new standard designs—one measuring 12 meters (40 feet) wide and the other 6 meters (20 feet) wide.
These bridges, equipped with ramps, have already proven effective in handling large crowds during Kumbh events.
Additionally, a significant number of surveillance cameras will be installed at railway stations and nearby areas.
Advanced monitoring war rooms will be set up at key stations, where officers from different departments will collaborate to manage high crowd situations efficiently.
Additional Measures for Passenger Safety
To improve operations and enable quick decision-making during emergencies, a senior officer will be appointed as the station director at major railway stations.
This director will have financial authority to make immediate decisions regarding station management and safety enhancements.
Other measures include:
- Introduction of redesigned ID cards for railway staff and service personnel.
- A new uniform for railway employees to ensure they are easily identifiable in emergencies.
- Strict regulation of ticket sales based on station capacity and train availability.
With these steps, Indian Railways aims to provide a safer and more organized travel experience while reducing overcrowding risks.
