Delhi Stations: Northern Railway Suspends Platform Tickets for Festive Rush
Northern Railway suspends platform ticket sales at major Delhi stations from Nov 3 to Nov 14, 2026, to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja festive crowds.
Northern Railway has announced a significant change in station operations to manage the massive passenger surge expected during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals. To ensure passenger safety and reduce congestion, the railway administration has decided to suspend the sale of platform tickets at six major stations within the Delhi-NCR region.
Key Stations and Duration of Suspension
The restriction on platform ticket sales will be in effect from November 3 to November 14, 2026. This measure applies to all methods of ticket acquisition, including physical counters, mobile applications, and Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs). The following stations will be affected by this decision:
- New Delhi
- Old Delhi (Delhi Junction)
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- Anand Vihar Halt
- Ghaziabad
According to Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer of Northern Railway, these steps are part of a strategic crowd-control plan. The goal is to mitigate heavy congestion for travelers heading toward destinations like Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha during the festive season.
Exemptions for Vulnerable Passengers
While the ban is widespread, Northern Railway has provided specific exceptions to ensure that those in need are not inconvenienced. Platform tickets will still be made available for:
- Elderly passengers receiving assistance
- Women traveling with others
- Persons with disabilities (Divyangjan)
- Illiterate travelers requiring support
New Passenger Holding Area and Parcel Rules
To further regulate the inflow of people, a permanent passenger holding area has been established at New Delhi railway station. Located on the Ajmeri Gate side near platform number 16, this facility is equipped with baggage scanners to monitor and control the movement of passengers into the station premises.
Additionally, to prioritize the movement of passengers, temporary restrictions have been placed on parcel booking and loading/unloading operations. These parcel service constraints will be implemented at the following stations:
- New Delhi
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- Delhi Junction
- Hazrat Nizamuddin