New Delhi Railway Station Crowd Control: New Entry Rules
Northern Railway introduces color-coded gates and platform ticket bans at New Delhi Station to manage Diwali and Chhath Puja crowds.
To combat the massive passenger surge expected during the upcoming Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, Northern Railway has announced a comprehensive New Delhi Railway Station crowd control plan. Effective from November 5, 2026, these new protocols aim to streamline movement and ensure passenger safety during the peak festive season.
Color-Coded Gate System for Faster Access
In a move to reduce confusion and congestion, the station has introduced a color-coded entry system. Passengers are advised to follow the specific signage to reach their respective platforms efficiently:
- Blue Signage (Gate No. 8 and Gate No. 11): Reserved for passengers traveling with confirmed or reserved tickets for platforms 1 through 15.
- Yellow Signage (Gate No. 12): Designated for general and unreserved passengers accessing platforms 1 through 16.
One-Way Movement and Holding Areas
To prevent the chaos often caused by bidirectional traffic, Northern Railway has implemented a one-way movement system. This ensures that entry and exit points remain strictly separate, preventing bottlenecks in the circulating areas. Additionally, a permanent holding area has been made operational on the Ajmeri Gate side to regulate the flow of people moving toward the platforms.
Strict Platform Ticket Restrictions
Authorities have also tightened security and crowd control by enforcing strict restrictions on platform tickets. From November 3 to November 14, 2026, platform ticket sales will be restricted at New Delhi Railway Station and five other major stations within the Delhi/NCR region.
The ban will not apply to individuals who are providing essential assistance to:
- Elderly passengers
- Sick or specially-abled travelers
- Illiterate passengers
- Women requiring help
Parcel Operations and Official Statement
To further prioritize passenger movement, departmental parcel bookings and the loading/unloading of goods will be restricted between November 5 and November 15, 2026, though certain operational exceptions may apply.
Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, emphasized that these measures are crucial for managing the heavy influx of travelers. He stated that the goal is to mitigate overcrowding in circulating areas and on platforms, ultimately ensuring the safety and convenience of all bonafide travelers.