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Ashwini Vaishnaw Approves 76 New Passenger Zones for Railway Comfort

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved developing 76 new passenger holding areas across India. This decision follows the successful implementation at New Delhi Railway Station that handled heavy Diwali crowds. The modular facilities will accommodate thousands of passengers with amenities like ticket counters and clean toilets. All projects must be completed before the 2026 festival season to enhance pre-boarding comfort nationwide.

Key Points: Ashwini Vaishnaw Approves 76 Railway Passenger Holding Areas

  • New Delhi station's successful holding area inspired nationwide expansion plan
  • Modular design approach tailored to local station conditions
  • Facilities include ticket counters, ATVMs, and free RO water
  • War rooms established to monitor real-time passenger traffic flow
2 min read

Ashwini Vaishnaw approves plan for 76 passenger areas at railway stations to enhance travel comfort

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw greenlights 76 passenger holding areas at railway stations nationwide to enhance travel comfort before 2026 festival season.

"The new holding areas planned across the country will follow a modular design and will be constructed keeping in view local conditions. - Official Statement"

New Delhi, Oct 30

Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved a plan for developing 76 new passenger holding areas at various railway stations across the country ahead of the 2026 festival season.

The decision was taken following the success of the passenger holding area at New Delhi Railway Station, which enhanced the pre-boarding comfort for travellers, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

The new holding areas planned across the country will follow a modular design and will be constructed keeping in view local conditions. The Union Minister has directed that all holding areas should be completed well before the 2026 festival season, the statement said.

The New Delhi station managed the extremely heavy rush of passengers during Diwali and Chhath with the help of its newly developed holding area, which was completed within four months.

The Yatri Suvidha Kendra (permanent holding area) at New Delhi Railway Station is designed to accommodate approximately 7,000 passengers at any given time, significantly enhancing pre-boarding comfort and passenger flow.

The facility is strategically divided into three zones -- Ticketing, Post-Ticketing, and Pre-Ticketing -- to streamline passenger movement. The New Delhi station holding area can accommodate over 7,000 passengers and is equipped with 150 toilets, each for men and women, ticket counters, automatic ticket vending machines, and free RO water facilities.

Indian Railways had also run as many as 7,800 extra trains to clear the surge in passenger traffic for Diwali and Chhath, and set up War Rooms to monitor the festive rush.

Vaishnaw paid a surprise visit to the New Delhi Railway Station and conducted an on-ground assessment of the arrangements made for passengers during the festive season.

Indian Railways established a dedicated "War Room" at Rail Bhawan to monitor and manage the massive influx of festive travellers. This command centre enabled real-time monitoring and allowed officials to quickly address congestion, passenger complaints, and potential incidents, the minister said.

The war room has evolved into an effective system overseeing the entire Indian Railways network, as over 80 war rooms were active at the Railway Board, zonal, and divisional levels, according to an official statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some good news for railway passengers! The 150 toilets for each gender is a game-changer, especially for women travelers with families. Hope they maintain cleanliness properly though.
A
Arjun K
Good step but why wait till 2026? Festival rush happens every year and passengers suffer. Should complete this before next Diwali itself. The war room concept is excellent though - real-time monitoring really helps.
S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently between Delhi and Mumbai, I appreciate this development. The free RO water and proper seating will make waiting much more comfortable. Hope they extend this to smaller stations too.
V
Vikram M
The three-zone division (Ticketing, Post-Ticketing, Pre-Ticketing) is smart planning. This will reduce chaos during peak hours. Hope they implement proper signages and staff to guide passengers.
M
Michael C
While this is a positive step, I hope they focus on maintenance too. Many railway facilities start well but deteriorate quickly. Regular cleaning and upkeep is crucial for these holding areas to remain useful.
A
Ananya R
Excellent initiative! The modular design considering local conditions shows good planning. Elderly passengers and families with children will benefit the most. Looking forward to seeing this implemented across India! 🇮🇳

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