New Holding Areas for Indian Railways Festive Crowd Management
Indian Railways is setting up Yatri Suvidha Kendras at major stations like Udhna and Ayodhya to manage festive crowds and decongest platforms.
To ensure effective railway festive crowd management, Indian Railways is developing dedicated passenger holding areas, known as Yatri Suvidha Kendras, at major stations across the country. These areas are being established to streamline passenger movement and ease congestion during periods of heavy footfall, particularly during the upcoming festive season.
Decongesting Platforms and Circulating Areas
The Yatri Suvidha Kendras serve as dedicated spaces for unticketed and waiting passengers. By providing these designated zones, the railways aim to reduce congestion on platforms, in circulating areas, and at station approaches. These facilities are designed to provide a comfortable waiting environment before passengers proceed to the main platform area.
Udhna Station: A Model of Modern Management
Udhna railway station in Gujarat serves as a significant example of a station equipped with a modern passenger holding area. The Udhna Holding Area is especially beneficial for migrant passengers traveling to their hometowns during the festive season. The facility covers a massive 10,100 square metres, divided into a 6,500-square-metre pre-ticketing block and a 3,600-square-metre post-ticketing block.
Key amenities at the Udhna facility include:
- 10 ticket counters and 120 seats.
- 55 CCTV cameras equipped with video analytics and facial recognition technology.
- Six electronic train display boards and a public announcement system.
- Wi-Fi connectivity and 32 high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) fans.
- An RO drinking water plant, four water coolers, and separate toilets for men, women, and Divyangjan.
- A baby feeding room and a 'May I Help You' booth.
Upgrades at Anand Vihar, Ayodhya, and Haridwar
Several other major stations are also implementing these specialized holding facilities to handle passenger surges:
- Anand Vihar Terminal: The Yatri Suvidha Kendra here features 14 ticket counters, 16 CCTV cameras, four electronic display boards, and seating for 20 passengers, along with necessary toilet and water facilities.
- Ayodhya Dham: This facility includes five ticket counters, 17 CCTV cameras, a baby care room, and a public announcement system equipped with 44 speakers.
- Haridwar: Reflecting the city's religious identity, the holding area features CNC-cut temple motifs on aluminium sheets. It offers 20 ticket counters, 25 CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi, and 21 HVLS fans.
Cultural Designs and Ongoing Construction
In Ujjain, the proposed passenger holding area will reflect the city's religious and cultural identity through architectural designs. The facility will feature CNC-cut aluminium motifs depicting the Kshipra River and local landmarks such as Mahakaleshwar, Kal Bhairav, and Harsiddhi. Construction is progressing rapidly, with 28 foundations and significant structural steel fabrication already completed.
In the Bhopal Division, work is being undertaken on both the PF-1 and PF-6 sides. On the PF-6 side, all 25 foundations and structural steel fabrication have been completed, including the roofing over a 1,760-square-metre area.