Access control, war rooms among Railways’ crowd-control measures

In a major step towards improving crowd management at railway stations, the Railway Ministry has approved a comprehensive plan following last month’s tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which claimed 18 lives. The decision was taken in a high-level meeting chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, where officials outlined a series of measures to enhance safety and streamline station operations at 60 major railway stations across the country.

As part of the plan, each of these stations will now have a senior officer designated as the Station Director, who will oversee all departments and have financial authority to make immediate decisions for station improvements. To control overcrowding, only passengers with confirmed reserved tickets will be allowed direct access to platforms, while those holding waiting-list tickets or without tickets will be required to wait in designated areas outside. Additionally, unauthorised entry points at stations will be sealed to prevent congestion and improve security.

To ensure smoother passenger movement, two standardised designs of foot over bridges (FOBs) — one measuring 12 meters wide and the other 6 meters wide — have been developed. These wider FOBs, which were highly effective during the Mahakumbh festival, will now be installed across all major stations. The experience of managing large crowds during festivals and events like Mahakumbh has also led to another crucial decision: the creation of permanent waiting areas outside major railway stations. These designated zones will help contain sudden surges in crowds, preventing chaos inside the station premises. Pilot projects for these waiting areas have already begun at New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya and Patna stations.

In addition to physical infrastructure upgrades, technology will play a vital role in the new crowd control strategy. A large number of CCTV cameras will be installed at stations and their surrounding areas to ensure continuous monitoring. Recognising the importance of coordinated efforts during emergencies, the Railways will also establish war rooms at large stations, where officers from all departments will work together to manage heavy crowds.

To further enhance communication and security, the latest digital equipment, including walkie-talkies, announcement systems and calling networks, will be introduced at high-traffic stations. Additionally, all railway staff and service personnel will be issued new uniforms and identification cards, ensuring that only authorised individuals are present within the station premises and can be easily identified during emergency situations.

With these measures, the Railways aims to modernise station management and improve passenger safety, especially during peak travel seasons and major events.