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Railways Allocates ₹34,000+ Crore for Passenger Amenities & Crowd Control

Indian Railways has allocated over ₹34,000 crore across the last three fiscal years specifically for enhancing passenger amenities and managing crowds. The ministry is developing permanent passenger holding areas at 76 of the country's most crowded stations, with 23 already underway in states like Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. These areas and stations are being equipped with AI-enabled CCTV cameras, advanced communication systems, and war rooms for real-time monitoring. New, wider standard foot over-bridge designs have also been developed for installation across stations to improve passenger flow and safety.

Key Points: Railways' ₹34,000 Crore Push for Passenger Amenities & Stations

  • ₹34,000+ crore allocated over 3 years
  • 76 stations getting passenger holding areas
  • AI-enabled CCTV & war rooms for crowd control
  • New wide foot over-bridge designs introduced
2 min read

Railways allocated over Rs 34,000 crore in last 3 years for passenger amenities

Indian Railways allocated over ₹34,000 crore in 3 years for passenger amenities, AI surveillance, and new holding areas at 76 crowded stations.

"The development is progressing well in heavy footfall stations... ahead of the festive rush this year. - Railways Minister"

New Delhi, April 2

Indian Railways allocated over Rs 34,000 crore in the last three years for passenger amenities, including expenditure on crowd management at stations to ensure smooth travel, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

During 2023-24, an amount of Rs 9,392 crore was allocated for enhancing passenger amenities, while another Rs 12,884 crore was earmarked during 2024-25 and as much as Rs 12,018 crore in 2025-26, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

As many as 23 permanent holding areas across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and UP out of the total 76 crowded stations in the country are currently under development. The development is progressing well in heavy footfall stations like Mumbai's CST and Bandra Terminus, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Varanasi ahead of the festive rush this year. AI-enabled CCTV cameras, advanced digital communication equipment, war room monitoring and control on ticket sales are also being carried out at railway stations and adjoining areas to facilitate close monitoring and effective crowd management, the minister said.

The Ministry of Railways has initiated plans to establish passenger holding areas to decongest the platforms at 76 stations, designed as comfortable, organised spaces with essential amenities such as seating, drinking water, toilets, ticketing facilities, information displays, and security checks to handle peak-hour footfall.

Holding area at the New Delhi Railway Station has already been commissioned, easing congestion and enhancing passenger convenience with facilities like additional ticket counters, ATVMs, PAS, electronic train information boards, CCTV surveillance, luggage scanners, DFMDs, uninterrupted power supply, improved lighting, HVLS fans, fire-fighting and lightning protection systems, RO drinking water, and separate toilets for men, women, and Divyangjans. Similar provisions at other stations are under various stages of planning and execution.

Complete access control is being provided, allowing passengers with confirmed reserved tickets direct entry to the platforms, while those without tickets or holding waiting list tickets will be accommodated in designated outside waiting areas.

Two new designs of 12 metre wide (40 feet) and 6 metre wide (20 feet) standard foot over-bridges have been developed. These wide bridges will be installed in all the stations, the minister added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

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Priya S
Rs 34,000 crore sounds impressive, but where is the money actually going? I travel frequently from Howrah station, and the crowding is still terrible. Clean toilets and drinking water are basic rights, not luxuries. I'll believe the improvement when I see it on the ground.
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Aditya G
The wide foot over-bridges are a game-changer! Anyone who has tried to cross a bridge at New Delhi station during rush hour with luggage knows the struggle. This, combined with AI CCTVs for crowd management, shows a modern approach. Good to see tech being used for public welfare.
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Sarah B
As someone who visited India last year, the railway stations were overwhelming. The plan for organized holding areas with seating and information displays is exactly what's needed. It will make travel much less stressful for tourists and locals alike. Hope it's implemented nationwide soon.
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Karthik V
The separate facilities for Divyangjans mentioned in the New Delhi station example is a very positive and inclusive step. Often, infrastructure projects forget about accessibility. Hope this becomes a standard feature at all major stations. The focus should be on comfort and dignity for all passengers.
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Meera T
While the allocation is huge, I hope maintenance is also budgeted for. We build new things but within a year, fans don't work, toilets are dirty, and displays are broken. Sustainable upkeep is key. Also, glad to see Bhopal and Lucknow on the list - stations in non-metro cities need equal attention.

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