Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday, October 11, reviewed the preparations at New Delhi Railway Station as authorities brace for the annual Diwali and Chhath travel rush. The minister inspected newly built holding areas, improved ticketing counters and other passenger facilities aimed at easing congestion during the festive period.
Vaishnaw said the upgrades are part of efforts to provide a smoother travel experience for passengers who often face long queues and overcrowding at the station during major festivals. “Every year, there is a sudden surge in passengers at New Delhi Railway Station. Two years ago, we tested a temporary holding area and now a permanent facility has been built for passengers without reserved tickets,” he said during the inspection.
Upgraded infrastructure and passenger facilities
The new holding areas have been designed to manage unreserved travellers more efficiently, with improved ventilation, seating and ticketing access. To avoid crowding at the main concourse, the ticket counters have been moved to the holding zone. Vaishnaw said the system would be closely monitored during the festive season to assess its efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
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Cybersecurity and ticket booking safeguards
During his visit, Vaishnaw also directed railway officials to strengthen cybersecurity measures in the ticketing system. He emphasised preventing the misuse of automated software that enables multiple bookings at once, often depriving genuine passengers of tickets. Officials have been asked to ensure that all online and counter-based ticket systems operate securely and transparently.
Record special train operations this year
The Centre has announced a record number of special train services for Diwali and Chhath this year to accommodate the surge in passengers. Vaishnaw said nearly 12,000 trains will operate across the country during the season, with about 10,700 services already notified. Around 150 additional rakes have been arranged to provide nearly 2,000 extra trips.
He added that Indian Railways’ capacity has expanded significantly in recent years, with around 34,000 km of new rail tracks laid across the network. “The capacity of railways has really increased, allowing us to run more trains and improve the passenger experience,” the minister said.
The new systems introduced at New Delhi Railway Station will be tested during the current festive period. Vaishnaw said that feedback from the exercise would guide similar upgrades at other major stations nationwide.
