New Passenger Holding Areas to Ease Congestion at Indian Railways Stations

New Delhi, August 15: To manage the heavy crowds at railway stations during festivals, Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed the progress of passenger holding areas being constructed at Anand Vihar Terminal and Udhna Railway Station from the Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. The meeting also included Rail State Minister V. Somanna.

The Rail Minister instructed officials to expedite ongoing work and quickly resolve challenges associated with the sites. He emphasized the need to complete these passenger facilities before the upcoming major festivals, ensuring safe, comfortable, and organized movement for travelers. The review covered the status of civil works, structural construction, utility shifting, obstruction removal, passenger amenities, and other related tasks.

The primary objective of the passenger holding areas being developed by the railways is to provide a separate space for ticketless or waiting passengers. This initiative aims to reduce congestion at platforms, entrances, and transit areas during peak times. Travelers will benefit from a comfortable and secure waiting environment before accessing the station or platform.

These centers will feature large covered waiting areas, ample seating, separate ticket counters, restrooms for men and women, drinking water, and other basic amenities. Additionally, public address systems, passenger information displays, CCTV surveillance, security arrangements, adequate lighting, electricity, and technology-based facilities will be provided. Signage and furniture will also be arranged to facilitate organized movement.

The passenger facility center at Anand Vihar Terminal is being constructed in two phases. The first phase will accommodate approximately 4,000 passengers, with rapid progress on foundations, plinth beams, and structural steel work. Upon completion of the second phase, the center’s capacity will increase to around 7,000 passengers.

At Udhna Railway Station in Gujarat, the planned holding area will accommodate about 15,000 passengers at a time. Significant progress has also been made here. Once completed, this area will improve connectivity between the holding zone and the platform, facilitating organized movement and easier crowd management within the station complex.

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