Ashwini Vaishnaw Reviews Passenger Facilities and Security Arrangements at New Delhi Railway Station Ahead of Diwali and Chhath

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday conducted a comprehensive inspection of New Delhi Railway Station to review passenger amenities, security arrangements and operational preparedness for managing the heavy passenger rush during the ongoing Diwali and upcoming Chhath festive season.

During the inspection, the Railway Minister reviewed various arrangements introduced by Indian Railways to facilitate passenger movement, prevent overcrowding and ensure safe and comfortable journeys. He also interacted with passengers at the station to obtain direct feedback on the facilities and arrangements. According to the Ministry of Railways, passengers expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made for their convenience.

The inspection comes at a time when railway stations across several major cities are witnessing a substantial increase in passenger footfall due to the festive season, which includes Durga Puja, Diwali and Chhath. These festivals traditionally generate some of the highest passenger traffic volumes across the Indian Railways network, particularly on routes connecting major metropolitan centres with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other states.

Speaking during the visit, Vaishnaw said Indian Railways was continuously working to improve passenger facilities, strengthen services and make train journeys more convenient. He emphasised that special arrangements had been made to handle the increased passenger movement during the festive period.

The Minister highlighted the deployment of additional special trains, enhanced Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and the installation of 700 additional AI-enabled cameras to strengthen security and surveillance. He also stressed that passengers should be able to reach their respective trains in the shortest possible time after arriving at railway stations.

Dedicated Holding Areas and Improved Passenger Movement at New Delhi Station

One of the key initiatives reviewed during the inspection was the development of dedicated passenger holding facilities at New Delhi Railway Station.

A separate holding area has been created for passengers travelling with reserved tickets, in addition to the holding facility for unreserved passengers that was introduced last year. A common holding arrangement has also been developed to streamline passenger entry and movement within the station.

The objective is to regulate the flow of passengers, reduce congestion at entry points and ensure that travellers can wait comfortably before proceeding towards their respective platforms.

Another important change involves shifting baggage screening facilities outside the station building. This has helped free up space that was previously being used for ticketing-related activities inside the station. The available space has subsequently been converted into a waiting area for passengers.

These changes are expected to improve passenger circulation and reduce congestion, particularly during peak departure hours when several trains operate within a short interval.

The holding areas and revised security arrangements are part of a broader strategy to manage large crowds at major railway stations without compromising passenger safety and convenience.

Delhi Railway Stations Handle Nearly 8 Lakh Passengers Daily During Peak Rush

The scale of the festive rush is evident from passenger movement figures recorded across major railway stations in the Delhi region.

New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS), Old Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Sarai Rohilla collectively recorded approximately 2 crore passenger movements between October 1 and November 5, 2026.

Under normal circumstances, these stations together handle an average of nearly 5 lakh passengers daily. However, during the peak festive period from November 1 to November 5, the average daily passenger footfall increased to approximately 8 lakh.

The substantial increase highlights the importance of additional holding facilities, enhanced security deployment and better crowd management arrangements at stations serving the National Capital Region.

Anand Vihar Terminal, in particular, is an important departure point for passengers travelling towards eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other destinations during the festive season. New Delhi and Old Delhi stations also handle considerable passenger traffic connecting the national capital with different parts of the country.

Mumbai Railway Stations Record 1.5 Crore Passenger Movements

A similar increase in passenger movement has been observed in the Mumbai railway region.

Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) collectively recorded approximately 1.5 crore passenger movements between October 1 and November 5, 2026.

The normal average daily passenger footfall at these stations is approximately 4 lakh. During the peak period of November 1-5, however, the figure increased to nearly 5 lakh passengers per day.

The increased traffic reflects the significant demand for rail travel from Mumbai and adjoining areas during the festive season, particularly among passengers travelling to their home states.

Hyderabad Stations Witness Nearly 4 Lakh Passengers Daily

Railway stations in the Hyderabad region have also experienced a considerable increase in passenger traffic.

Secunderabad, Kacheguda and Charlapalli stations together recorded approximately 90 lakh passenger movements between October 1 and November 5, 2026.

The usual average daily passenger footfall of around 2.5 lakh increased to approximately 4 lakh during the peak period between November 1 and November 5.

The increase has necessitated additional attention to passenger management, security and station facilities.

Bengaluru Records 1 Crore Passenger Movements

In Bengaluru, four major railway stations—Bengaluru City, Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVB), Yesvantpur and Yelahanka—collectively recorded approximately 1 crore passenger movements during October 1-November 5, 2026.

The average daily passenger footfall, which normally stands at around 2.5 lakh, increased to approximately 3.5 lakh during the peak festive period of November 1-5.

The figures underline the importance of adequate train capacity and passenger management arrangements in one of the country’s major employment and transportation hubs.

Surat and Udhna Stations Also Witness Heavy Rush

Surat and Udhna railway stations collectively recorded approximately 50 lakh passenger movements between October 1 and November 5, 2026.

The normal average daily passenger footfall of nearly 1 lakh increased to approximately 1.6 lakh during the peak period from November 1 to November 5.

Surat is an important railway hub for migrant workers and passengers travelling to different parts of the country. The festive season generally witnesses a substantial increase in demand for travel from the city, particularly towards Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other northern and eastern states.

Special Trains, Security and AI Surveillance to Support Festive Operations

To manage the increased passenger movement, Indian Railways has adopted a multi-pronged strategy involving additional train services, enhanced security deployment and improvements in passenger amenities.

Additional special trains have been arranged to accommodate the increased demand during the festive period. The deployment of additional RPF personnel is intended to strengthen security and assist in managing passenger crowds at important stations.

The installation of 700 additional AI-enabled cameras is another significant step towards improving surveillance and strengthening the security infrastructure. These cameras are expected to support monitoring of passenger movement and help security personnel maintain better oversight of station premises.

Other arrangements include dedicated passenger holding facilities, additional ticketing arrangements, baggage screening facilities, drinking water availability and clean washrooms at major railway stations.

The emphasis is on ensuring that passengers can enter stations in an organised manner, complete necessary security checks and reach their trains without unnecessary delays or congestion.

With passenger traffic increasing significantly across major railway hubs, Indian Railways is focusing on improving station infrastructure, strengthening security arrangements and enhancing operational coordination.

The Railway Minister’s inspection of New Delhi Railway Station reflects the importance being accorded to passenger convenience and security during the festive season. Indian Railways has reiterated its commitment to providing safe, comfortable and hassle-free travel through improved facilities, additional services and continuous monitoring of passenger movement.