New Delhi Station: New Crowd Rules for Diwali & Chhath Puja
Northern Railway implements color-coded entries and AI monitoring at New Delhi Station to manage festive crowds during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
With the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja approaching, Northern Railway has launched a comprehensive set of crowd control measures at the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS). These protocols are designed to handle the massive influx of passengers and ensure safety and smooth movement during this peak travel period.
Color-Coded Entry and One-Way Movement
To streamline passenger flow and prevent congestion at the gates, officials have introduced a new color-coded entry system:
- Blue Gates (Gate Nos. 8 and 11): These are designated for passengers traveling with confirmed reserved tickets for platforms 1 to 15.
- Yellow Gate (Gate No. 12): This gate is reserved for general and unreserved passengers traveling on platforms 1 to 16.
Additionally, a mandatory one-way movement protocol is now in effect, requiring passengers to use separate entry and exit points to avoid bottlenecks.
Suspension of Platform Ticket Sales
In an effort to reduce overcrowding on platforms, the sale of platform tickets will be suspended from November 3 to November 14, 2026. This restriction applies to six major stations within the Delhi/NCR region:
- New Delhi
- Old Delhi
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Ghaziabad
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- Anand Vihar Halt
Exemptions: The suspension will not apply to those assisting the elderly, the sick, specially-abled passengers, or illiterate travelers, as well as women who require assistance.
Parcel and Goods Restrictions
To prioritize the movement of commuters, departmental parcel bookings and all goods loading/unloading operations will be restricted from November 5 to November 15, 2026. This measure ensures that station space and staff are focused on passenger management.
High-Tech Security and Women's Safety
Security at the station has been significantly upgraded with the deployment of over 700 AI-based high-tech cameras for real-time monitoring of crowd density. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has also increased its presence, including the deployment of a dedicated 'Abhaya' team specifically tasked with ensuring women's safety during the festive rush.
Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has conducted on-site inspections to personally review these arrangements and ensure they are being implemented effectively.
Operational Adjustments to Reduce Congestion
Several other measures are in place to manage the high footfall at NDLS:
- Holding Areas: Dedicated holding areas, such as the facility located outside Platform 16 on the Ajmeri Gate side, are operational to manage passenger waiting times.
- Handheld Ticketing: To reduce long queues at ticket counters, staff are using handheld devices to issue unreserved tickets directly.
These steps follow a mandate from the Delhi High Court, which requires railway and police authorities to document and conduct regular reviews of crowd-management strategies during high-footfall events to ensure total accountability.