Decision Comes After Recent Stampede at New Delhi Station
The Ministry of Railways has announced plans to construct permanent outside waiting areas at 60 major railway stations across India, aiming to effectively manage crowds and prevent incidents of overcrowding. This move follows a tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station nearly a month ago, in which 18 people lost their lives due to alleged overcrowding on platforms.
Crowd Control Measures Initiated by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday to discuss and implement crowd control measures. The meeting focused particularly on stations known to experience heavy footfall during peak travel seasons and festival periods.
The Ministry noted, “During the 2024 festival season, waiting areas established outside Surat, Udhna, Patna, and New Delhi railway stations effectively managed large crowds by restricting platform access until trains arrived.”
Successful Models from Maha Kumbh to be Replicated
These new waiting areas will be modelled on the successful arrangements made at nine railway stations in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh festival. The effectiveness of these arrangements demonstrated significant potential for improving crowd management, prompting their implementation across additional locations.
Pilot projects for these outside waiting zones have already commenced at New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna stations. The Ministry explained, "With this concept, sudden crowds will be contained within designated waiting areas. Passengers will only be allowed onto platforms when their trains are ready, thus significantly reducing congestion."
Strict Access Control and Enhanced Security Measures
The Ministry also plans stringent access controls at these 60 selected railway stations. Passengers holding confirmed tickets will have direct access to platforms, while individuals without tickets or those holding waiting-list tickets will remain in the outside waiting areas. Additionally, unauthorised entry points at these stations will be sealed to maintain order.
New Foot Over Bridges and Surveillance Systems
As part of this strategic overhaul, wider Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) are also being introduced. Two new designs, 12-metre wide (40 feet) and 6-metre wide (20 feet), equipped with ramps, have been finalised. These FOB designs proved highly effective during crowd management at the Kumbh festival.
Advanced surveillance systems are being put in place, with an increased number of CCTV cameras planned at railway stations and surrounding areas. The cameras will facilitate close monitoring and immediate response to crowd-related issues. Additionally, dedicated "War Rooms" will be established at large stations, staffed by departmental officers who will coordinate responses during peak crowd situations.
Enhanced Communication and Crisis Management Protocols
The Ministry emphasised the importance of upgraded communication equipment, including modern walkie-talkies, digital announcement systems, and calling systems, which will be made available at all stations prone to heavy footfall.
Other measures include the introduction of specially designed identity cards and distinctive uniforms for railway staff to improve their visibility during emergencies. Moreover, a senior officer designated as Station Director will be appointed at major stations. This Station Director will be financially empowered to take immediate decisions for station improvement and will regulate ticket sales based on station capacity and available trains.
The Ministry’s proactive approach underscores a commitment to passenger safety and improved management of railway stations, especially during peak travel periods.