East Central Railway Reviews Strategy to Manage Kumbh Passenger Rush
Hajipur: The General Manager of East Central Railway, Chhatrasal Singh, led a high-level meeting with senior railway officials to review the comprehensive crowd management strategies for the onging Mahakumbh at Prayagraj. The meeting, held at the railway headquarters in Hajipur, saw Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) from all five divisions connected via video conference, along with heads of various departments.
The primary focus of the discussions was the implementation of measures to ensure smooth travel for the millions of devotees expected during the Mahakumbh festival. Key topics included crowd management at railway stations, the operation of special Kumbh trains, and the safety of passengers both on trains and at stations.
Chhatrasal Singh stressed that no leniency would be tolerated in maintaining crowd control, and urged coordination with local district administrations to ensure passenger safety. He emphasised the importance of avoiding last-minute platform changes and called for constant monitoring of crowds via CCTV. Additionally, the General Manager instructed officials to ensure that additional special trains be operated as needed to accommodate the influx of passengers.
In preparation for the festival, war rooms have been established at both the headquarters and divisional levels, where senior officers are closely monitoring the situation through CCTV feeds around the clock. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) has been placed on high alert at stations, with additional support from the district police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to manage crowds effectively.
To further improve passenger experience, holding areas with provisions for water, seating, and rest have been created at major stations experiencing high footfall. Continuous announcements are being made to keep passengers informed about train movements. Additionally, to prevent ticketing issues, extra ticket counters and additional facilitators for Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) are being deployed where necessary.
