Patna : The East Central Railway (ECR) has prepared a crowd-management plan for the Diwali and Chhath festive season, when railway stations across its jurisdiction in Bihar are expected to experience a surge in passenger numbers.
As part of the arrangements, additional ticket counters will be opened at 20 major stations, including Patna Junction, Danapur, Rajendra Nagar Terminal and Patliputra. Special facilitators will also be deployed at automatic ticket vending machines to help passengers purchase general tickets and reduce queues.
Temporary holding areas are being prepared outside station buildings to regulate passenger movement and prevent overcrowding on platforms. Passengers will be allowed to proceed towards platforms in an organised manner according to train schedules.
Extra Ticket Counters At 20 Major Stations
The additional counters are intended to reduce waiting times for passengers purchasing unreserved tickets during the festive rush.
Special facilitators will assist passengers at automatic ticket vending machines, helping them complete transactions and reducing congestion around ticketing facilities.
East Central Railway has also arranged additional shifts for commercial staff to ensure that ticket distribution and enquiry services continue smoothly during periods of heavy demand.
The measures are expected to ease pressure on ticket counters and improve passenger movement through busy station areas.
Temporary Holding Areas To Manage Passenger Crowds
Temporary holding areas are being prepared outside station buildings to accommodate passengers before they enter platforms.
The arrangements are intended to prevent large groups from gathering on platforms at the same time and reduce the risk of dangerous overcrowding during peak travel hours.
Passengers will be directed towards platforms according to train timings, allowing railway staff to regulate entry and manage the flow of people.
Special attention will also be given to foot overbridges, where congestion can obstruct passenger movement. Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and commercial staff will use megaphones and public-address systems to make announcements and guide passengers along designated routes.
Drinking Water, Shelters And 24-Hour Help Desks
The railway is also expanding basic passenger facilities in the temporary holding areas to make waiting more manageable.
The planned arrangements include:
- 24-hour help desks to assist passengers.
- Additional water tankers for drinking water.
- Temporary mobile toilets.
- Shelters in holding areas.
- Additional commercial staff for ticketing and passenger enquiries.
These facilities are intended to support passengers who may need to wait outside station buildings before being allowed onto platforms.
The additional staffing and amenities will be particularly important during periods when several trains arrive or depart within a short time.
RPF And Commercial Staff To Monitor Passenger Movement
Railway Protection Force personnel and commercial staff will coordinate crowd-control arrangements at major stations.
Regular announcements through megaphones and public-address systems will inform passengers about movement restrictions and help prevent unnecessary gathering near platform entrances and foot overbridges.
The planned system will focus on regulating passenger entry according to train schedules rather than allowing large crowds to move towards platforms simultaneously.
Focus On Safe Travel During Diwali And Chhath
Diwali and Chhath are among the busiest travel periods for Bihar, with large numbers of people returning from other cities to celebrate the festivals with their families.
The additional ticket counters, temporary holding areas and passenger facilities are intended to improve crowd management and reduce congestion at railway stations across the zone.
The effectiveness of the arrangements will depend on coordination between railway staff, security personnel and passengers, particularly during peak departure and arrival periods.
