Shailja Jha
Patna: As the auspicious festival of Chhath Puja approaches, East Central Railways (ECR) has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at ensuring crowd management, convenience, and safety for passengers traveling to and from various stations under its jurisdiction.
Special Trains Operation: Special trains are in operation between various stations of ECR, including key locations such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, and Pune.
Extensive Special Train Services: A total of 126 pairs of special trains are running during the festival season, from October to December, comprising over 1500 trips. Additionally, two Vande Bharat trains are operational on the Patna-Ranchi and Patna-Howrah railway sections.
Variety of Train Services: Vande Bharat Special, Rajdhani Special, Clone Sampoorna Kranti Special, and Gatishakti Special trains are facilitating travel between Patna and New Delhi.
Enhanced Security Measures: Railway security forces are maintaining a constant vigil at stations to ensure passenger safety, with additional deployment of Railway Protection Force and dog squads.
Vigilance with Technology: Intensive monitoring via CCTV cameras is conducted round the clock at major stations, aimed at controlling anti-social elements and managing crowds.
Passenger Assistance: Holding areas have been designated for passengers at major stations, with continuous announcements and the use of mega mics to disseminate information about train movements.
Security Deployment: Scouts, guides, and Railway Protection Force personnel are deployed at major stations to control crowds and ensure passenger safety.
Help Desks for Passenger Assistance: “May I Help You/Help Desk/Sahayog Booth” setups are in place at major stations, staffed by senior employees providing continuous assistance and information.
Medical Aid Booths: Dedicated medical aid booths are established for prompt medical assistance to passengers.
Efficient Boarding Procedures: Trains will be parked on platforms half an hour before departure, and last-minute platform changes are strictly avoided to minimize inconvenience to passengers.
Enhanced Ticketing Facilities: Additional ticket counters are operational at major stations, and facilitators for ATVMs are provided to ensure smooth ticketing services.
Drug Abuse Prevention: Special vigilance is maintained to prevent drug abuse incidents, and passengers are educated through media, social media, and street plays to avoid unauthorized ticket brokers.
CCTV Surveillance to Curb Ticket Brokers: CCTV cameras are installed in reservation offices to directly monitor and curb the activities of ticket brokers.
Level Crossing Marking: Level crossings are marked, and security personnel are deployed to facilitate the movement of Chhath Vratis.
Intelligence Activation: Railway Protection Force’s intelligence units are on high alert, gathering intelligence from various sources, and maintaining constant coordination with government railway police and intelligence departments.
Women Passenger Safety: Additional women constables of RPF’s “Meri Saheli” team are deployed in trains and major stations to ensure the safety of women passengers.
Enhanced Security Deployment: Adequate security forces are deployed at stations, with a focus on foot over bridges, platforms, and circulating areas.
Queue-Based Boarding for General Coaches: To avoid jostling, security forces are organizing the boarding of general coaches in a queue manner for long-distance trains.
As the region gears up for the festive fervor, ECR remains committed to ensuring a seamless and secure travel experience for passengers during Chhath Puja.
