Indian Railways to Implement Access Control & Holding Areas at 60 Stations for Crowd Management

Indian Railways has announced a significant step towards improving passenger safety and managing crowds at major railway stations across the country. The initiative includes the implementation of a comprehensive Access Control System and the establishment of permanent holding areas at 60 key railway stations.

This move follows the successful trials conducted during peak travel seasons, such as religious festivals and events like Mahakumbh. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed these developments in a written statement to the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

Permanent Holding Areas to Decongest Platforms

As part of the new crowd management system, Indian Railways will introduce permanent holding areas outside the station premises at high-traffic locations. These holding areas will serve as waiting zones for passengers with unconfirmed tickets or those arriving early for their journey. Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed to enter the platforms at the designated time, minimizing congestion and ensuring smooth passenger movement.

Pilot projects have already commenced at major railway stations, including:

• New Delhi

• Anand Vihar

• Varanasi

• Ayodhya

• Ghaziabad

The success of these pilot projects has encouraged Indian Railways to expand the initiative nationwide.

Full Access Control for Better Regulation

To further streamline operations, Indian Railways will enforce full access control at select stations. This means:
✅ Only passengers with confirmed reservations will be allowed direct access to platforms.
✅ Unauthorized entry points will be sealed to prevent overcrowding.
✅ Passengers with waiting list tickets will be required to stay in the holding areas until they receive confirmation.

These measures aim to enhance station security, reduce overcrowding, and ensure a hassle-free travel experience.

Wider Foot-Over-Bridges for Seamless Passenger Movement

Indian Railways is also introducing newly designed standard foot-over-bridges (FOBs) to accommodate large crowds effectively. The new bridges will be available in two sizes:

• 12 meters (40 feet) wide

• 6 meters (20 feet) wide

These wider FOBs were highly successful during Mahakumbh in managing heavy foot traffic and will now be installed at all high-traffic railway stations to facilitate smoother crowd movement.

Real-Time Monitoring with CCTV and War Rooms

To enhance security and monitor crowds in real time, Indian Railways will install a large number of CCTV cameras across major stations. The real-time surveillance system will assist railway authorities in quickly identifying bottlenecks, security concerns, and overcrowding.

Additionally, war rooms will be set up at large railway stations to help officers from various departments coordinate efficiently during high-traffic situations. These dedicated control centers will ensure better communication, quick decision-making, and improved response times.

Advanced Communication Systems for Crowd Management

To strengthen communication and ensure better coordination among railway staff, the Railways will deploy advanced communication equipment such as:
📢 Digital walkie-talkies for instant communication.
📢 Improved announcement systems for guiding passengers.
📢 Modern calling systems to facilitate quick decision-making.

These technological upgrades will streamline operations and improve emergency response capabilities.

New Identification System for Railway Staff

For enhanced security and easy identification of railway personnel, Indian Railways will introduce:
🎫 Newly designed ID cards for all station staff.
👔 Distinctive uniforms to ensure passengers can easily identify railway personnel.

These changes will prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas and improve passenger assistance services.

Empowering Station Directors for Real-Time Decision Making

A key highlight of this initiative is the appointment of Station Directors at major railway stations. These senior officers will have financial and administrative powers to make immediate operational decisions.

Their responsibilities will include:
✔ Regulating ticket sales based on station capacity.
✔ Preventing excessive crowding by monitoring train schedules and platform access.
✔ Ensuring better coordination with security personnel.

Strengthened Security Measures with Law Enforcement Collaboration

Indian Railways is collaborating with the Government Railway Police (GRP), local police, and civil authorities to implement station-specific security plans.

During high-traffic periods, additional security measures will include:
🚫 Temporary restrictions on platform ticket sales.
🚫 Deployment of security personnel on foot-over-bridges to regulate passenger flow.
🚫 Strict enforcement of access control at all station entry points.

These measures will ensure a safer and more organized railway travel experience for passengers.

Conclusion: A Transformative Step for Indian Railways

The introduction of access control and permanent holding areas is a transformative step in modernizing Indian Railways. These measures will not only enhance passenger safety and comfort but also contribute to efficient station management and security. With the deployment of advanced infrastructure, technology, and improved coordination, Indian Railways is poised to set new standards in crowd management and offer a seamless travel experience for millions of passengers across India.