Northern Railway’s Festive Season Initiatives: Special Trains and Enhanced Passenger Services
New Delhi, November 2, 2023 – Delhi Rail Division’s Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Sukhvinder Singh announced a series of initiatives aimed at spreading the joy of the ongoing festive season with passengers. The Delhi Division of Northern Railway has launched special festival trains to accommodate travelers journeying to their hometowns to celebrate the Puja, Diwali, and Chhat festivals with their families, making the rail travel experience more convenient and alleviating the surge in passenger traffic during this festive period.
Special Trains for Smooth Festive Travel In line with this festive spirit, the Delhi Division has scheduled 327 trips of special trains to ensure a smooth and comfortable travel experience for passengers celebrating Pooja, Diwali, and Chhat Festivals. These special trains have been strategically planned to connect major destinations across the country on railway sectors, including Delhi (DLI), New Delhi (NDLS), and Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT), linking cities such as Patna, Danapur, Muzaffarpur, Jogbani, Saharsa, Jaynagar, Katihar, Darbhanga, Gorakhpur, Raxual, Varanasi, Gaya, and Shri Vaishno Devi Katra. Additionally, the operation of unannounced special trains is contingent on the advice of Station Directors or Station Superintendents, taking into account the real-time ground situation.
Efficient Crowd Management The Northern Railway has implemented crowd control measures to ensure an orderly entry of passengers into unreserved coaches, with the supervision of Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff at terminus stations. “May I Help You” booths are operational at important stations, staffed by RPF Personnel and Train Ticket Examiners (TTEs) who provide passengers with proper assistance and guidance. All necessary steps are being taken to avoid last-minute platform changes.
Enhanced Passenger Facilities To enhance passenger convenience, a well-equipped mini-control center will be set up at New Delhi (NDLS), Old Delhi (DLI), Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT), and Hazrat Nizamudin (NZM) Railway Stations. Officers will be deputed as Special Duty Officers (SDOs) at NDLS, DLI, and ANVT stations during peak rush periods. “Passenger holding areas” (Pandals) will be established at NDLS and ANVT to manage pre-departure waiting crowds. These Pandals will feature covered tentage, lighting, fans, water booths, portable toilet blocks, TV screens with DTH, departmental and IRCTC food stalls, train information displays, and mobile charging points.
The Pandals will also be equipped with audio control for local announcements, infotainment sound distribution, and large LED screens for displaying content related to Chhath, including movies and devotional songs. A DTH system and DVD player will be installed to display TV and DVD content. Additional horn speakers for auto announcements will be available in the Pandals.
Improved Platform Management To enhance the management of passenger crowds, all east-bound trains will be operated from PF 16 at NDLS and from PF 1 at ANVT as far as possible. Platform berthing will be arranged to avoid simultaneous arrival and departure of trains from the same island platform.
Enhanced Services and Security Additional booking, reservation, and inquiry counters will be opened as per the need. Moreover, additional ticket checking and commercial staff will be deployed at critical locations in coordination with the RPF. Parcel booking and movement will be temporarily closed during rush periods at New Delhi, Delhi Sarai, Delhi Main, and Anand Vihar.
Scout & Guide and Civil Defence volunteers will be deployed to assist with ATVM and CO-TVM machines and to provide help and guidance to passengers. Efforts will be made to ensure catering and vending stalls are placed or relocated to avoid obstructing passenger movement. Adequate food and snacks will be available at stations, particularly at “JantaKhana.”
To address medical emergencies, doctors will be available from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM in mini control rooms at NDLS, DLI, and ANVT in two shifts. First Aid Boxes and medicines will be regularly monitored at all stations, with First Aid Posts set up during specific periods. Round-the-clock ambulances will be stationed at DLI, ANVT, NZM, and NDLS.
Enhanced Security Measures To enhance security, about 1300 additional RPF/RPSF personnel will be deployed at NDLS, ANVT, DLI, and NZM. This will include dog squads, baggage scanners, metal detectors, and manned entry gates. Additional CCTV cameras, communication equipment, and coordination with the Delhi Police and the Delhi Fire Service will further ensure the safety and security of passengers. Dedicated teams will focus on controlling and detecting incidents of theft of passenger belongings (ToPB) and black marketing of railway tickets.
Northern Railway’s comprehensive measures aim to make this festive season a safe and enjoyable experience for all passengers. Travelers can expect a range of services and facilities designed to make their journeys comfortable and stress-free.
