Crowd Control Revolution: Indian Railways Launches Access System at 60 Stations

Indian Railways is set to revolutionize crowd management by introducing a Limited Access Control System with permanent holding areas at 60 major stations across the country. This ambitious initiative aims to decongest platforms, enhance passenger safety, and prevent stampede-like situations during peak rush periods, including festivals, melas, and holidays. 

Under this system: 

•  Confirmed ticket holders will have direct access to platforms. 
•  Waiting list and unreserved ticket holders will remain in holding areas until the train arrives. 
•  Unauthorized access will be restricted by sealing entry points. 

Inspired by the successful crowd management strategies during Mahakumbh and the 2024 festival season at stations like New Delhi, Surat, Patna, and Udhna, Indian Railways aims to replicate this model at key stations nationwide.

In this article, we’ll explore the key features, benefits, and implications of this access control revolution by Indian Railways. 

To reduce platform congestion, Indian Railways will create permanent waiting areas at 60 high-traffic stations.

These areas will hold large crowds during rush hours and festive seasons.

Pilot projects are already underway at: 

• New Delhi 
• Anand Vihar 
• Varanasi 
• Ayodhya 
• Ghaziabad 

Passengers will be allowed on the platform only when the train arrives, ensuring a smooth and organized boarding process. 

• Only confirmed reserved ticket holders will be granted direct access to platforms. 
• Waiting list and unreserved ticket holders will stay in the holding areas until their train arrives. 
• All unauthorized entry points will be sealed to prevent illegal access and overcrowding.

• Indian Railways is deploying two new FOB designs:

  12-metre wide (40 feet)

  6-metre wide (20 feet) 

•  These standard wide FOBs with ramps will:

  Improve passenger movement efficiency. 

•  Reduce congestion on staircases and platforms. 
•  Proven effective during Mahakumbh, these FOBs will be installed at all 60 stations. 

 4️⃣ Enhanced CCTV Surveillance 

• CCTV cameras will be installed at stations and surrounding areas. 
•  This will enable 24/7 real-time monitoring of crowd movements. 
•  Railway officials can respond quickly to emergencies, enhancing passenger safety. 

 5️⃣ War Rooms at Large Stations 

• War rooms will be established at major stations for better crowd management. 
•  Officers from all departments will collaborate during peak rush hours. 
•  Real-time communication and coordination will streamline crowd control operations. 

 6️⃣ Next-Gen Communication Equipment 

To enhance coordination during rush periods, stations will be equipped with: 

•  Walkie-talkies 
•  Advanced announcement systems 
•  Digital calling systems
  These will enable faster communication and effective handling of crowd situations. 

 7️⃣ New ID Cards for Staff 

• All railway staff will receive new-design ID cards. 
•  This will help authorities easily identify authorized personnel during emergencies. 

 8️⃣ New Uniforms for Staff 

• Staff members will be provided with new, distinct uniforms. 
• This will make them easily recognizable in crowded areas, ensuring passengers can seek assistance quickly. 

 9️⃣ Upgraded Station Director Role 

Major stations will have a Station Director—a senior officer with:

Financial empowerment for on-the-spot decisions. 

Authority over all departments, ensuring efficient coordination during emergencies.

This role will improve station management efficiency. 

 1️⃣0️⃣ Controlled Ticket Sale 

• The Station Director will have the authority to control ticket sales based on the station’s capacity. 
•  This will prevent overcrowding during festivals and heavy rush periods.

  🚉 

🔹 GRP and RPF Deployment
Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel will be deployed at:

Foot-over-bridges

Platforms

Station premises

This will ensure smooth passenger movement and prevent stampede-like situations. 

 🔹 Queue System for Boarding
A queue system will be introduced at major stations for organized boarding.

This will enhance passenger convenience and prevent chaos during train arrivals. 

 🔹 Collaboration with Local Authorities
During rush periods, Indian Railways will coordinate with:

Local police

Civil administration

This will ensure swift action during emergencies and smooth crowd management. 

✅ Improved Passenger Safety 

The limited access control system will reduce the risk of:

Overcrowding on platforms.

Stampede-like situations during rush hours.

Enhanced surveillance will improve security and passenger safety. 

 ✅ Efficient Crowd Management 

Holding areas will contain sudden crowd surges, preventing platform congestion.

The queue system will make boarding more organized and efficient. 

 ✅ Better Surveillance and Monitoring 

CCTV cameras will provide real-time monitoring of passenger movement.

War rooms will enable railway officials to respond swiftly during emergencies. 

 ✅ Enhanced Passenger Experience 

Wider FOBs will facilitate smooth movement, reducing bottlenecks.

New uniforms and ID cards will make it easier for passengers to identify railway staff. 

 1️⃣ What is the purpose of the Access Control System by Indian Railways? 

The Access Control System aims to:

Decongest platforms by allowing only confirmed ticket holders direct access.

Improve passenger safety by preventing unauthorized entry. 

 2️⃣ Which stations will have the Access Control System? 

Indian Railways will implement permanent holding areas and access control at 60 major stations, including:

New Delhi

Anand Vihar

Varanasi

Ayodhya

Ghaziabad 

 3️⃣ How will holding areas help in crowd management? 

Holding areas will:

Contain sudden crowds outside stations.

Allow only confirmed ticket holders access to platforms.

Prevent platform congestion during rush periods. 

 4️⃣ Will platform tickets be restricted during peak rush? 

Yes. During rush periods, zonal railways can:

Stop issuing platform tickets to prevent overcrowding.

Exceptions will be made for those assisting aged, illiterate, and female passengers. 

 5️⃣ How will CCTV cameras improve safety? 

CCTV cameras will:

Enable round-the-clock monitoring.

Help railway officials respond quickly to suspicious activities or emergencies. 

Indian Railways’ Access Control System at 60 major stations is a game-changer in crowd management. By implementing:

Permanent holding areas

Access control

Enhanced CCTV surveillance

War rooms and wider FOBs

Indian Railways aims to enhance passenger safety, streamline boarding, and ensure smooth operations, even during peak rush hours. 

Indian Railways introduces Access Control System at 60 major stations with permanent holding areas, wider FOBs, CCTV surveillance, and war rooms to enhance passenger safety and streamline boarding.