Railways expands festive measures as special trains reach 18,000

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Indian Railways is operating around 18,000 special trains during the 2026 festive season, up from about 12,000 last year, as it expands crowd-management measures at major stations. The arrangements include passenger holding areas, additional ticket counters and monitoring systems as travel demand rises around Diwali, Durga Puja and Chhath.

During a visit to Anand Vihar Terminal, Vaishnaw reviewed crowd-control measures and spoke with passengers. He said railway authorities had been directed to survey whether the foot overbridge connecting the terminal with the Delhi Metro, the Regional Rapid Transit System and a bus stand should be widened or replaced with a subway. The survey is to take place after Diwali and Chhath, with the findings intended to inform preparations for next year’s festive season.

Indian Railways has established dedicated holding areas at around 20 stations, according to the Railway Ministry. At New Delhi station, a reserved-passenger holding area has been added alongside the facility for unreserved passengers introduced last year. The ministry also described dedicated ticket counters and scanning facilities as part of the...