New Delhi, March 29: In a bid to address overcrowding at major railway stations across the country, the Ministry of Railways has unveiled a comprehensive plan to introduce high-tech passenger holding areas at 76 key stations. These zones are designed to alleviate platform congestion by providing comfortable, well-organized spaces featuring essential amenities such as seating, drinking water, restrooms, ticketing facilities, information displays, and security checks, to manage peak-hour footfall better.
A model passenger holding area has already been launched at New Delhi Railway Station, significantly improving passenger flow. The facility includes modern features such as additional ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Public Address Systems (PAS), and electronic train information boards. To ensure safety and comfort, the area is equipped with CCTV surveillance, luggage scanners, door-frame metal detectors (DFMDs), an uninterrupted power supply, enhanced lighting, High-Volume Low-Speed (HVLS) fans, and fire-fighting systems. Amenities such as RO drinking water and separate toilets for men, women, and Divyangjans are also available.
Similar developments are underway at other stations, with execution timelines under continuous optimization. As part of a new access control protocol, passengers with confirmed tickets will have direct access to platforms. Passengers without tickets or with waiting list tickets will be accommodated in these outside holding areas until their travel status is verified or space becomes available.
Infrastructure upgrades also include the installation of wider Foot-Over-Bridges (FOBs). Two new standard designs, 12 meters (40 feet) and 6 meters (20 feet) wide, will be introduced at stations for smoother movement. To bolster safety, AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed at key locations for real-time crowd monitoring.
To improve station management, "War Rooms" will be set up at major stations, with officers from all departments coordinating operations. This will be supported by state-of-the-art digital communication equipment, including advanced walkie-talkies and announcement systems.
Furthermore, all station staff and service personnel will receive QR-based ID cards to ensure secure access, along with new uniforms for easy identification during emergencies. In a significant administrative move, the role of Station Director will be upgraded at all major stations. These senior officers will have financial powers to make on-the-spot decisions and will lead a unified command structure with all departments reporting directly to them. Station Directors will also have authority over ticket sales based on station capacity and available train services.
The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, provided this information in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.
