Indian Railways Allocates Over INR 34,000 Crore to Improve Passenger Facilities and Crowd Management

The Ministry of Railways has allocated more than INR 34,000 crore over the past three financial years to improve passenger facilities and strengthen crowd management at railway stations across India. The initiative focuses on infrastructure upgrades, technology deployment and operational reforms aimed at managing rising passenger volumes more safely and efficiently, particularly during peak travel periods and major festivals.

According to a government statement reported by the Press Information Bureau, Indian Railways has identified 76 stations across the country where targeted crowd management measures will be introduced. These measures combine physical infrastructure improvements with digital monitoring systems and updated station management practices.

Passenger Holding Areas Introduced at Busy Stations

A central component of the programme is the development of dedicated passenger holding areas at major stations. These spaces are designed to reduce congestion on platforms by allowing passengers to wait in designated zones until their trains are ready for boarding.

The holding areas will include seating, drinking water, toilets, ticketing facilities, information displays and security screening systems. Additional features include electronic train information boards, CCTV monitoring, baggage scanners, walk-through metal detectors, uninterrupted power supply systems, improved lighting, high-volume low-speed fans, fire safety systems and purified drinking water.

New Delhi Railway Station has already implemented such a holding area, which authorities report has helped reduce platform congestion and improve passenger flow. Similar facilities are currently under development or planning at other stations.

Stations identified for permanent holding areas in three states include:

• Madhya Pradesh: Ujjain, Sehore, Bhopal and Jabalpur
• Maharashtra: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Nagpur, Nashik Road, Pune, Dadar and Bandra Terminus
• Uttar Pradesh: Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya Dham, Kanpur, Veerangana Lakshmi Bai Jhansi, Mathura, Agra Cantt, Gorakhpur, Lucknow Junction and Banaras

Controlled Station Access and Platform Entry

To improve crowd management, Indian Railways is introducing stricter access control at busy stations. Passengers holding confirmed reserved tickets will be permitted to proceed directly to platforms, while those without tickets or with waiting-list tickets will remain in designated holding areas outside the platforms.

This approach is intended to regulate the number of passengers entering platforms at any given time and reduce congestion during peak travel periods.

Technology Deployment for Real-Time Monitoring

Large numbers of artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras are being installed at stations and surrounding areas to support detailed monitoring of passenger movement and crowd density. These systems will enable authorities to detect congestion patterns and respond quickly to emerging risks.

The initiative reflects a broader effort to integrate advanced technologies into the rail network, building on wider efforts where AI and digital systems are transforming rail travel operations in India.

In addition, major stations will establish dedicated war rooms where officials from multiple departments can jointly monitor and coordinate responses to crowd situations. Modern digital communication tools, including walkie-talkies, announcement systems and call systems, will also be deployed to support on-ground coordination.

Infrastructure Upgrades and Operational Reforms

Indian Railways has also designed new standardised foot-over-bridges with widths of 12 metres (40 feet) and 6 metres (20 feet). These wider bridges are intended to improve passenger circulation between platforms and reduce congestion at critical points within stations.

Operational changes are being introduced alongside physical upgrades. Staff and service personnel will receive QR code-based identification cards to support secure access control within station premises, while redesigned uniforms will make railway personnel easier to identify during emergencies.

At major stations, a senior official will be appointed as Station Director with expanded authority to make operational and financial decisions on-site. All departments operating within the station will report to the Station Director, creating a single command structure for managing facilities and crowd situations.

Station Directors will also be authorised to regulate ticket sales in line with station capacity and available train services, helping to prevent overcrowding.

Investment in Passenger Facilities

The government has steadily increased funding for passenger amenities and related infrastructure. Budget allocations for these improvements were:

• 2023–24: INR 9,392 crore
• 2024–25: INR 12,884 crore
• 2025–26: INR 12,018 crore

Combined, these allocations exceed INR 34,000 crore and include investments in infrastructure designed to support effective crowd management.

The measures align with India’s broader push to expand digital infrastructure and technology adoption across public services, as highlighted in policy initiatives supporting investment in AI and digital technologies through national budget priorities.