Anand Vihar Terminal and the nearby ISBT are witnessing a massive surge in passengers ahead of the Holi festival on March 4, 2026. Official data shows that nearly 14 lakh people have left Delhi in the last five days, leading to severe traffic congestion and overcrowding. Local administration and Northern Railway have implemented strict crowd management protocols to ensure the safety of commuters during this period.
Railway Restrictions and Crowd Management Steps
Northern Railway has introduced several measures to control the density of people inside the station premises. To prioritize departing passengers, certain services have been temporarily suspended at Anand Vihar Terminal.
- Platform ticket sales are banned from February 26 to March 3, 2026, except for those assisting elderly or female passengers.
- Parcel bookings for both leased and railway parcels are suspended from March 1 to March 3, 2026.
- Temporary holding areas are created outside the station with 15 extra ticket counters to prevent indoor crowding.
- Northern Railway is operating over 200 Holi Special train trips to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Bengal.
Legal Status and Anti-Encroachment Measures
The Delhi High Court had previously declared Anand Vihar a no-vending zone on January 22, 2026. Despite these orders, illegal encroachments and parking have returned due to the festival rush, causing delays of 30 to 40 minutes for people reaching the station. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has assured that new anti-encroachment drives will start immediately.
| Category | Details and Impact |
|---|---|
| Passenger Count | 14 lakh travelers in the last 5 days |
| Authorized Vendors | Only 105 certified mobile cart vendors allowed |
| Metro Services | Closed until 2:30 PM on March 4 (Holi) |
| Traffic Status | Congestion reported at ISBT-Station link road |
Commuters are advised to reach the station well in advance as the extra crowd and security checks are increasing the time required to board trains. The CPRO of Northern Railway, Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, confirmed that these measures are essential to manage the peak festival demand effectively.