New Delhi, April 2: Indian Railways has allocated over Rs 34,000 crore in the last three years to improve passenger amenities, focusing on crowd management and station enhancements. In 2023-24, Rs 9,392 crore was set aside, followed by Rs 12,884 crore for 2024-25 and Rs 12,018 crore for 2025-26, as stated by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in a Lok Sabha reply.

Key projects include the development of 23 permanent holding areas across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, with progress seen at high-footfall stations like Mumbai CST, Bandra Terminus, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Varanasi. These areas aim to alleviate congestion during peak travel times.

The initiative also includes the installation of AI-enabled CCTV, digital communication systems, and advanced crowd monitoring technologies. Passenger holding areas with amenities such as seating, toilets, drinking water, and security are being developed at 76 stations nationwide to manage peak-hour crowds.

At New Delhi Railway Station, a holding area has already been commissioned, featuring improved facilities like ticket counters, CCTV, luggage scanners, and better lighting. Two new foot over-bridge designs (12m and 6m wide) will be installed at stations to further ease passenger movement.