Indian Railways Deploys Massive Holding Areas for Festive Rush
Indian Railways deploys massive holding areas and 18,000 special trains to manage the Diwali and Chhath Puja festive rush.
As the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja approaches, Indian Railways is gearing up for a massive influx of passengers. To prevent chaos and ensure safety, the authorities have implemented a heavy-duty crowd management protocol across major railway hubs.
High-Capacity Holding Areas at Major Stations
To ease the pressure on platforms, dedicated passenger holding areas have been established at high-traffic stations like New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Udhna in Surat. These specialized zones are designed to handle massive crowds, with New Delhi and Udhna each capable of accommodating approximately 20,000 passengers at a time.
These areas are equipped with modern amenities to ensure passenger comfort, including:
- High-quality toilets and RO drinking water facilities.
- Advanced air circulation systems featuring HVLS fans.
- Continuous CCTV surveillance and public announcement systems.
- Electronic display boards for real-time updates.
To further streamline movement, ticket counters have been moved inside these holding areas, and 'May I Help You' booths have been set up to assist travelers immediately.
Strict Rules on Platform Tickets and Parcels
The Northern Railway has introduced temporary restrictions to maintain order. From November 3 to November 14, 2026, the sale of platform tickets will be suspended at several key locations, including:
- New Delhi
- Delhi Junction
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Ghaziabad
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- Anand Vihar Halt
However, exemptions are available for the elderly, the sick, specially-abled passengers, women requiring assistance, and illiterate travelers. Additionally, departmental parcel bookings at New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Delhi Junction will face restrictions from November 3 to November 15, 2026.
18,000 Special Trains to Combat Travel Demand
To manage the surge in travel, the Railways is significantly ramping up its capacity. This year, approximately 18,000 special trains will be operational, which is a massive increase compared to the 12,000 trains provided during the previous year's festive season.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that these extensive arrangements are part of a broader mission to improve railway infrastructure, which includes the redevelopment of 1,300 stations. The Northern Railway CPRO emphasized that these measures are strictly intended to facilitate the smooth movement of bonafide passengers with confirmed tickets.
Warning Against Fake News
Authorities have also issued a stern warning regarding social media. Legal action will be taken against anyone found spreading misinformation or circulating fake videos concerning train services.