To handle the record festive rush during Diwali and Chhath Puja, Indian Railways has launched 12,011 special trains nationwide, expected to serve over 1 crore passengers. These Festival Specials aim to ensure smooth and comfortable travel for passengers heading to various destinations across the country.

Central Railway’s Contribution: 1,998 Special Trips

According to Shri Vijay Kumar, General Manager, Central Railway, the zone is operating 1,998 special train trips, both reserved and unreserved, expected to benefit more than 30 lakh passengers. These trains will primarily connect Maharashtra with states such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, among others.

Holding Areas at Six Major Stations

To efficiently manage the surge in footfall, Central Railway has established dedicated holding areas at six key stations, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Dadar, Pune, Nashik Road, and Nagpur.

• CSMT: 1,200 sq. m

• LTT: 10,000 sq. m

• Pune: 2,000 sq. m

• Nashik Road: 1,000 sq. m

• Nagpur: 1,500 sq. m

Together, these facilities can accommodate up to 20,000 passengers at a time, helping to decongest platforms and waiting areas.

Enhanced Facilities, Real-Time Monitoring

The newly created holding zones are equipped with covered sheds, proper lighting, ventilation, drinking water, toilets, fans, charging points, food stalls, and a public address system. Platforms for trains are being pre-designated in advance, ensuring passengers have clarity and avoiding last-minute confusion.
To improve efficiency, Indian Railways has also deployed AI-based systems and war rooms to track ticket availability and passenger trends in real time.

Safety, Security, and Coordination

Crowd control measures such as queue formations, RPF and commercial staff supervision, and regular announcements have been implemented for orderly boarding. Additional ticket-checking and commercial staff have been deployed for passenger assistance. Coordination between Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) ensures safety and security at major stations.

Commitment to Passenger Comfort

With these robust preparations, Central Railway is striving to make festive travel safer, smoother, and more comfortable for passengers, reaffirming Indian Railways’ commitment to “Seva, Suraksha, and Suvidha” during the festive season.

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