In a significant move to prevent overcrowding and ensure passenger safety, Western Railway has restricted the entry of waiting ticket holders at Bandra Terminus, Surat, and Udhna stations until further notice. According to sources, the decision is a proactive measure to streamline passenger movement, particularly in response to the recent stampede at New Delhi station, which raised serious safety concerns.
Bandra Terminus, a crucial railway hub in Mumbai, handles around 18 pairs of long-distance trains daily and sees an average footfall of over 40,000 passengers. The station generates approximately ₹1.5 crore in daily passenger revenue. Given the high passenger volume, officials have indicated that similar entry restrictions could be extended to other key stations, including Mumbai Central (Main Line) and Vapi, if necessary.
The move follows a strategy implemented during the Mahakumbh at major stations in Prayagraj, where waiting ticket holders were restricted from entering railway stations to prevent chaos. The Railway Ministry has also announced that similar entry restrictions will be enforced at 60 major stations across the country to enhance safety and ease congestion.
Platform Ticket Sales Temporarily Halted
In addition to restricting entry for waiting ticket holders, Western Railway has temporarily suspended the sale of platform tickets at select stations in the Mumbai Division, including Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, and Surat. The restriction is effective immediately and will remain in place until March 16, 2025.
However, exemptions have been made for individuals assisting senior citizens, elderly passengers, and women travelers to ensure ease of travel.
Enhanced Crowd Management Measures
To effectively manage passenger rush, Western Railway has introduced several measures:
24/7 ‘War Room’: A dedicated control center has been set up to monitor real-time developments at terminal stations. The War Room operates in three shifts of eight hours each, ensuring round-the-clock surveillance.
Increased Security Deployment: Special squads from the Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and additional railway staff have been deployed at key locations such as footbridges, staircases, escalators, lifts, ticket counters, and waiting areas.
Temporary Holding Areas: To prevent overcrowding on footbridges, roads, and platforms, temporary holding zones have been set up near Bandra Terminus to manage crowd movement efficiently.
Special Outstation Trains: Western Railway has introduced additional long-distance trains to accommodate the surge in passengers and ease congestion at major railway hubs.
A senior Western Railway official emphasized that these measures aim to ensure a smooth and secure travel experience for passengers commuting to and from Mumbai. Railway authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and may introduce further measures if required.
For general ticket holders, entry will be allowed only two hours before the train's scheduled departure time.