18,000 Special Trains: Railways Beefs Up Crowd Management for Festive Rush
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces 18,000 special trains and enhanced crowd management to help over 2 crore passengers this festive season.
To tackle the massive surge of travelers during the peak festive season, the Indian Railways has significantly ramped up its operations and infrastructure. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that approximately 18,000 special trains have been deployed to accommodate the rush during Durga Puja, Diwali, and Chhath, ensuring that millions of people can reach their destinations safely and comfortably.
Massive Scale of Operations
The scale of this year's festive mobilization is immense. According to Minister Vaishnaw, the operation of these 18,000 special trains has already benefited more than two crore passengers. The Minister emphasized that these additional services were crucial in absorbing the extra demand that typically overwhelms regular schedules during India's biggest festivals.
During a visit to the Anand Vihar Terminal, the Minister noted that the passenger movement had seen significant peaks during Dhanteras and Chhoti Diwali. While a brief lull was expected on Sunday, the Railways is bracing for another massive spike in travel approximately three days before the Chhath festival.
Strengthening Station Infrastructure
Beyond just adding trains, the Railways has focused on "crowd management" at major hubs. Special holding areas have been established at key terminals to prevent chaotic congestion on platforms and ensure better facilities for waiting passengers. These arrangements have been implemented at several high-traffic stations, including:
- Anand Vihar Terminal
- New Delhi Railway Station
- Hazrat Nizamuddin
- Shakur Basti
Addressing the Bottlenecks: The FOB Challenge
Despite the improvements, the Minister identified a critical pain point at the Anand Vihar Terminal. He observed significant congestion on the Foot Overbridge (FOB) that connects the railway terminal with the Delhi Metro, the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and the local bus stand.
Taking immediate action, Vaishnaw has instructed officials to conduct a survey of the bridge. He stated that once the current Diwali and Chhath rush subsides, the authorities must either widen the existing FOB or construct a subway to ensure a smoother flow of passengers before the next festive cycle begins.
"I have instructed the authorities to survey it immediately... either the FOB should be widened, or a subway should be built. We are fully committed to improving every year," the Minister remarked.
Rapid Response for Passenger Demand
Responding to feedback from passengers who requested even more trains, the Minister has issued directives to the Railway Chairman, General Managers, and Divisional Railway Managers. They have been told to maintain the agility to mobilize additional trains within a few hours during extreme peak periods to maximize the number of people who can travel.
Minister Vaishnaw concluded by inviting suggestions from the public to help the Railways continue improving its services and facilities for the traveling public.