Indian Railways has taken many new steps to handle the increasing crowd at railway stations. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav told in the Rajya Sabha that to control the crowd of passengers, arrangements like holding areas, access control system and better monitoring are being implemented.
The Union Minister has given a written reply. In this he said that permanent passenger holding areas will be created at 76 identified stations so that crowding on the platform can be reduced. These areas will have facilities like seating facilities, drinking water, toilets, ticket counters, information boards and security checks, so that the crowd can be managed better during peak hours.
Holding area has started at New Delhi Railway Station: Union Minister
He said that such a holding area has already been started at New Delhi Railway Station, where facilities like additional ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machine (ATVM), Public Announcement System, Electronic Train Information Board, CCTV cameras, Baggage Scanner, Metal Detector, better lighting, power backup, RO water and separate toilets are available.
The minister said that the work of developing such facilities at other stations is also going on in different stages. To improve the movement of passengers, access control system will be implemented, under which only passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed to go directly to the platform. Passengers who do not have tickets or are on the waiting list will be kept in the holding area outside.
Railways has designed foot over bridges for better crowd management: Union Minister
He said that for better crowd management, Railways has also prepared new Foot Over Bridge (FOB) designs of 12 meter and 6 meter wide, which will be installed at the stations. Apart from this, AI based CCTV cameras are being installed in the stations and surrounding areas, so that real time monitoring and crowd control can be done. War rooms will also be created at big stations, from where different departments will work together.
The minister said that digital communication systems like walkie-talkie and modern announcement systems will also be installed at more crowded stations. Railway staff and other employees will be given ID cards with QR code, so that their identity and security can be ensured. Besides, they will also be given new uniforms so that they can be easily identified in case of emergency. The post of Station Director at big stations will be further strengthened and senior officers will be given financial powers to take decisions on the spot. All departments will report to the station director, which will implement a unified command system. The minister said that the station director will also be given the power to control ticket sales based on the capacity of the station and the availability of trains, so that crowding can be prevented.
Indian Railways has adopted a strict policy regarding advertising: Railway Minister
Meanwhile, Indian Railways has also adopted a strict policy regarding advertisements. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that there is a complete ban on advertisements containing alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes and obscene material in the Railways. He said that before showing advertisements in trains, it is necessary to take permission from the concerned railway division. Although it is the right of the advertising agency to choose the brand in the advertisement, they have to follow the central and state laws.
Under the Railways’ Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising policy, advertising opportunities are available in various parts of the stations, while advertisements are shown on digital screens through the Rail Display Network (RDN). Advertisements and branding are allowed inside and outside trains and coaches, but it is necessary to follow the prescribed rules. All advertisement contracts are awarded through e-auction through the Indian Railways e-Procurement System (IREPS) portal. The government has made it clear that if rules are violated, immediate action is taken so that a safe and orderly environment is maintained for the passengers.
