Rails Get a Crowd Fix
New Delhi, March 6, 2025 — The Indian government rolled out new crowd control plans Thursday for major railway stations. Announced in New Delhi, these steps aim to keep travelers safe and ease jams. The push comes after a deadly stampede last month raised big safety worries.
New Rules for Busy Stations
The Ministry of Railways acted fast after a February 15 stampede at New Delhi Railway Station killed 18 people. Now, 60 high-traffic stations will get permanent holding areas. These spots will hold waiting passengers and stop platform pileups. Color-coded zones—red, blue, yellow, green—will guide folks by route, like Lucknow or Delhi. The goal is clear: keep crowds moving smoothly.
Tech is a big part too. Over 200 new CCTV cameras will watch New Delhi’s station alone. Other hubs, like those tied to Prayagraj, get real-time tracking from a central control room. During peak times, like the Maha Kumbh Mela ending February 26, ticket sales will pause. No platform tickets from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. for a week, except for seniors and disabled travelers. It’s all about cutting the crush.
Why the Rush Matters
India’s railways are a lifeline. They haul over 800 crore passengers a year, says the Ministry of Railways. Big events like Kumbh Mela pile on millions more. Last month’s tragedy showed the risk—1.7 million people hit one station in a day. A last-minute platform switch sparked panic, and 9,600 tickets sold in two hours made it worse. The government wants no repeats.
Past efforts help explain this. The 2014 National Disaster Management Authority report urged better crowd plans. Railways have tried—13,000 trains ran for Maha Kumbh by mid-February, with 23 holding areas set up. But gaps remain. Footbridges get packed, and delays spark chaos. The new measures aim to plug those holes with tech and space.
Voices from the Top
Officials are all in. “We’re using cameras and zones to stop overcrowding,” said Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Northern Railways’ chief public relations officer. He told NDTV the focus is on safety, not just flow. Six senior Delhi Police inspectors now patrol New Delhi station too. The Railway Police Force is beefing up numbers at key hubs like Dhanbad and Jamshedpur. It’s a team effort to keep things calm.
The plan isn’t just talk. Work starts soon on those 60 stations. Holding areas will grow, and tech upgrades will roll out over six months. For Kumbh’s last week, 35 stations near Prayagraj get extra eyes. About 90% of pilgrims come from four states within 300 kilometers, so those lines are critical. The ministry bets on structure—arrows, separators, and no loitering on stairs—to dodge trouble.
A Safer Ride Ahead?
This could shift how India travels. If it works, daily commuters might see less hassle. Stations could handle festive rushes better—think 53 crore baths at Maha Kumbh already. Jobs might pop up too, from building zones to running cameras. The $5,000 crore spent on Kumbh rail upgrades shows the cash is there. Success could spread these fixes nationwide.
But it’s not a sure win. Tech can fail, and crowds can ignore rules. Last year, passengers stoned a train in Giridih over delays. If stations don’t sync with local police or pilgrims skip zones, chaos could creep back. The six-month test will tell. For now, the government’s betting big on control—hoping rails stay safe and steady.