Railway Ensures Seamless Facilities at Mathura Junction for Janmashtami 2026 with 24×7 Monitoring
With lakhs of devotees expected to throng Mathura during the auspicious Sri Krishna Janmashtami festival, the Agra Division of North Central Railway has put in place comprehensive passenger amenities and security arrangements at Mathura Junction and associated stations. Continuous 24×7 monitoring of security, crowd management, ticketing, cleanliness, drinking water and medical facilities is being carried out throughout the festival period from 3 September to 7 September 2026 to ensure a safe and comfortable journey for pilgrims.
Under the guidance of Divisional Railway Manager, Agra, Shri Gagan Goyal, senior officials are closely supervising arrangements at Mathura Junction and nearby stations. A dedicated War Room has been set up at the Divisional Office while a Control Room is functioning at Mathura Junction itself. Officers and inspectors from all departments have been deployed in three shifts at these facilities so that the crowd situation can be assessed in real time and immediate action taken whenever required.
Nearly 280 CCTV cameras installed across Mathura Junction are keeping a constant watch on passenger movement, entry and exit points, and the entire station premises. Any developing situation is coordinated instantly with the concerned departments. A railway doctor remains available round the clock in the Control Room to provide prompt medical assistance to passengers in need.
To strengthen security and crowd control, approximately 170 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and around 50 officers and staff of the commercial department have been deployed at Mathura Junction. An additional 15 staff members have been posted at the booking office to handle the surge in ticket demand. Extra ticket counters have been opened for the convenience of devotees, while two additional enquiry counters are providing real-time information on train operations, platforms and movement. Additional ticket-checking staff have also been deputed to facilitate passengers and protect railway revenue. Enquiry windows on Platform No. 1 and at the second entrance are operating 24 hours a day to guide travellers.
Thirty members of the Scouts and Guides are assisting passengers by providing necessary information, helping with crowd management and supporting those in need. A spacious holding area of about 3,500 square feet has been created near the first entrance of Mathura Junction. This facility ensures orderly entry and boarding, regular announcements, enquiry services, ticket checking and effective crowd control so that devotees can move safely and systematically.
In view of the heavy rush, the railways are operating approximately 16 special trains and have extended the run of four regular trains. These services offer additional connectivity to major cities including Gwalior, Jhansi, Palwal, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Jaipur. Train-on-Demand (TOD) services may also be introduced depending on passenger demand and the prevailing crowd situation.
Similar enhanced security and checking arrangements have been made at Govardhan, Vrindavan Road and Bhuteshwar stations to facilitate smooth movement of pilgrims. Additional RPF personnel have been deployed at nearby level-crossing gates No. 357 and 358 for heightened safety.
Round-the-clock medical facilities, ambulances, water tankers and bio-toilets have been arranged in coordination with the district administration. Adequate drinking water and cleanliness measures have been ensured throughout the station premises. Continuous inter-departmental coordination allows authorities to modify arrangements and mobilise extra resources as per the evolving crowd situation.
These wide-ranging and coordinated efforts by the Agra Division aim to provide devotees visiting Mathura during Sri Krishna Janmashtami with a safe, smooth, orderly and convenient rail journey while ensuring uninterrupted train operations throughout the festive period.
