Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a comprehensive inspection of various major railway stations to review passenger facilities, security arrangements and preparations for managing increased rush during the Diwali, Chhath, and Durga Puja festivals.
On November 6th, Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw undertook a detailed inspection of major railway stations across India. These included New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT), Hazrat Nizamuddin, Sarai Rohilla, Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Charlapalli, Bengaluru City, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVB), Yesvantpur, Yelahanka, Surat, and Udhna. The aim was to review passenger facilities, security arrangements, and preparations for managing increased rush during the Diwali, Chhath, and Durga Puja festive season.
Shri Vaishnaw stated that these festivals witness the maximum passenger rush every year. He mentioned that Indian Railways is continuously making improvements to enhance passenger facilities, improve services, and provide greater convenience to travellers.
Additional special trains and enhanced deployment of Railway Protection Force personnel have been arranged at several major stations to manage the increased passenger movement. Additionally, approximately 700 AI cameras have been installed at these stations to strengthen surveillance and security. The Union Minister emphasised that special attention is being given to ensure passengers can reach their respective trains in the shortest possible time after arriving at the station.
Improved Holding Area Arrangements at New Delhi Railway Station: At New Delhi Railway Station, a dedicated holding area has been created for passengers travelling with reserved tickets, in addition to the facility for unreserved passengers introduced last year. A common holding area has now been created to streamline entry and passenger movement. Facilities for luggage checking have also been shifted outside the station building. As a result, the space previously used for ticketing inside the station has been converted into a comfortable waiting area. These arrangements help reduce congestion, simplify passenger movement and provide a more convenient waiting experience before passengers proceed to their respective platforms.
Significant Passenger Footfall Across Major Railway Stations: Delhi's major railway stations recorded approximately 2 crore passenger movements during the period 1 October-5 November 2026. Against the usual average of nearly 5 lakh passengers per day, the average daily footfall increased to approximately 8 lakh during the peak period of 1-5 November 2026. Major railway stations in the Mumbai area recorded approximately 1.5 crore passenger movements during the same period, with a daily increase from nearly 4 lakh to approximately 5 lakh passengers during the peak period.
Railway stations in the Hyderabad area registered approximately 90 lakh passenger movements during the period 1 October-5 November 2026. The usual average daily footfall of nearly 2.5 lakh rose to approximately 4 lakh passengers per day during the peak period. Railway stations in the Bengaluru area collectively recorded approximately 1 crore passenger movements, with a daily increase from nearly 2.5 lakh to approximately 3.5 lakh during the peak period.
Surat and Udhna railway stations collectively recorded approximately 50 lakh passenger movements during the same period, with a daily increase from nearly 1 lakh to approximately 1.6 lakh passengers during the peak period.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
