The Indian Railways has announced a series of new crowd control measures at 60 major railway stations across the country.
These steps have been taken based on past experiences of overcrowding, particularly during festive seasons and large events such as the Maha Kumbh. The initiative aims to enhance passenger safety, regulate station entry, and streamline movement within railway premises.
Key Highlights of the New Crowd Control Measures
- Permanent waiting areas outside stations
- Access control for platform entry
- Installation of wider foot overbridges (FOBs)
- Enhanced surveillance and monitoring
- Establishment of war rooms at major stations
- Appointment of station directors for better management
Let’s take a detailed look at these measures and their impact on railway passengers.
1. Permanent Waiting Areas for Passengers
To prevent overcrowding on platforms, the railway ministry has decided to set up permanent waiting areas outside railway stations.
These areas will serve as holding zones for passengers, allowing them to enter the platforms only when their train arrives. This will significantly reduce congestion at stations, especially during peak hours and festival seasons.
The concept was successfully tested at key stations like New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna, where pilot projects have already begun. Based on the success of these trials, the initiative will now be extended to other major railway stations across India.
2. Access Control System for Platform Entry
The railways will introduce a strict access control system, ensuring that only passengers with confirmed reserved tickets can enter platforms.
This move will curb unauthorized access and enhance security at stations. Additionally, all unauthorized entry points will be sealed, preventing overcrowding and enhancing passenger safety.
This measure aims to make railway stations more organized and systematic, ensuring a hassle-free experience for travelers.
3. Installation of Wider Foot Overbridges (FOBs)
To facilitate smooth passenger movement, the railway ministry has planned the construction of new wide foot overbridges at all 60 stations. These FOBs will have widths of:
- 12 metres (40 feet) at high-footfall stations
- 6 metres (20 feet) at medium-footfall stations
These wider FOBs proved to be highly effective during the Maha Kumbh festival, where lakhs of devotees traveled through railway stations. The new bridges will also be equipped with ramps, ensuring easier access for elderly passengers and differently-abled individuals.
4. Advanced Surveillance and CCTV Monitoring
Indian Railways is taking a tech-driven approach to enhance security at railway stations. A large number of high-definition CCTV cameras will be installed across platforms, entry/exit points, and waiting areas. These cameras will help in:
- Real-time crowd monitoring
- Detection of suspicious activities
- Improved response time for security personnel
This initiative is expected to provide better crowd management and increase passenger safety.
5. War Rooms for Better Crowd Management
To ensure smooth coordination among different departments, war rooms will be established at major railway stations. These war rooms will be managed by railway officers from various departments, including operations, security, and customer service.
The primary role of these war rooms will be to:
- Monitor crowd movement in real-time
- Take quick decisions in case of emergencies
- Ensure better coordination between railway staff and local authorities
The presence of war rooms will enhance the efficiency of railway operations and ensure that passengers experience minimal inconvenience.
6. Appointment of Station Directors for On-the-Spot Decisions
To improve decision-making at major railway stations, station directors will be appointed at key locations. These officers will have financial powers to take on-the-spot decisions related to:
- Regulating ticket sales based on station capacity
- Managing emergency crowd situations
- Implementing immediate solutions for passenger convenience
This step will make railway station management more responsive and passenger-friendly.
7. Impact of These Measures on Railway Passengers
These crowd control measures are expected to bring multiple benefits to railway passengers, including:
✅ Less congestion on platforms
✅ Safer and more organized station environment
✅ Faster and smoother passenger movement
✅ Enhanced security with surveillance and access control
✅ Better response time in case of emergencies
With these initiatives, Indian Railways aims to provide a world-class travel experience to millions of passengers across the country.
Final Thoughts: A Major Step Towards Passenger Safety
The new crowd control measures announced by Indian Railways mark a significant step toward ensuring safe, secure, and efficient railway operations.
With advanced surveillance, controlled access, and better infrastructure, passengers can expect a smoother and more comfortable travel experience in the coming years.
The railway ministry’s proactive approach to addressing overcrowding issues shows a strong commitment to passenger safety and convenience.
As these measures are implemented across 60 major railway stations, Indian Railways is set to transform the way people travel by train.
