In a significant move to prevent overcrowding and enhance passenger safety, Indian Railways has decided to enforce strict access control at 60 busy stations across the country, including Bengaluru. Only passengers with confirmed reserved tickets will be permitted to enter railway platforms, while those with waiting list tickets or without tickets will have to wait in designated areas outside the stations.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced these measures after a high-level meeting with senior railway officials. The initiative aims to streamline passenger movement and prevent chaotic situations, especially during peak travel seasons.
Pilot Projects Show Effective Crowd Control
Pilot projects for access control have already been implemented at several major stations, including New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna. Under this system, passengers are allowed onto platforms only when their train arrives, preventing sudden overcrowding.
During the 2024 festival season, temporary waiting areas outside railway stations in Surat, Udhna, Patna, and New Delhi successfully managed large crowds. Similar arrangements at nine stations in Prayagraj during Maha Kumbh were also found to be effective in maintaining order.
Infrastructure Upgrades for Better Crowd Management
To further enhance passenger safety and ease movement, Indian Railways has planned the construction of wider foot over bridges (FOBs). Two new standard designs have been developed—one 12 meters (40 feet) wide and another 6 meters (20 feet) wide. These wider bridges with ramps have already proven useful in managing large crowds during Kumbh events.
Additionally, a large number of surveillance cameras will be installed at these railway stations and surrounding areas. Advanced monitoring war rooms will be developed at key stations, where officers from various departments will work together during high crowd situations.
Additional Measures for Passenger Safety
To ensure smooth operations and quick decision-making during emergencies, a senior officer will be appointed as the station director at major railway stations. This director will have financial authority to make on-the-spot decisions for station management and safety improvements.
Other measures include:
- A new design of ID cards for railway staff and service personnel
- A new uniform to make railway employees easily identifiable during emergencies
- Strict control over ticket sales based on station capacity and train availability
With these initiatives, Indian Railways aims to create a safer and more organized travel experience for passengers while minimizing the risk of overcrowding and stampedes.
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