Indian Railways has implemented several strict measures following the unfortunate stampede incident at New Delhi Railway Station on 15th February, 2025, Saturday. Special holding areas and additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment have been arranged to enhance passenger safety at key stations, including Ayodhya, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, New Delhi, and Anand Vihar. A dedicated holding area has been developed at Ghaziabad Station to manage crowds. Furthermore, safety measures have been implemented to prevent passengers from crossing safety zones (roped areas) when a train is approaching the platform. RPF personnel have been deployed along with ropes to ensure passengers remain at a safe distance until the train has come to a complete stop.

To manage the surge in passenger traffic during the final week of the MahaKumbh Mela, holding areas have been established at stations in Northern Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, and East Central Railway. These holding areas are located outside the platforms to control passenger flow and prevent overcrowding. Passengers will be allowed to enter the platforms based on their train's scheduled departure time, improving crowd management and passenger safety during peak hours and festive seasons.

Northern Railway has created large holding areas at various stations, including 4200 sq ft at Ghaziabad, 3800 sq ft at Anand Vihar, 12710 sq ft at New Delhi, 3024 sq m at Ayodhya, and 1280 sq m at Varanasi. North Eastern Railway has established holding areas at Banaras (2200 sq ft), Siwan (5250 sq ft), Ballia (8000 sq ft), and other stations. East Central Railway has set up holding areas in stations like Patna (2700 sq ft & 2700 sq ft) and Danapur (2700 sq ft & 2400 sq ft). Similarly, North Central Railway has created holding areas at Prayagraj Jn (10,737 sq m), Naini (10,637 sq m), and other locations.

These measures aim to ensure smooth travel operations during the busy MahaKumbh period. Passengers are advised to cooperate with official guidelines for a safe and seamless journey.

Source/PIB