Following the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Indian Railways has intensified efforts to strengthen crowd management and improve station infrastructure. Security measures are being tailored to specific stations, considering variations in passenger movement, particularly during festivals. Coordination with Government Railway Police (GRP), local police, and civil administration ensures better crowd control. To manage the expected rush for Maha Kumbh 2025 at Prayagraj, Indian Railways has added seven new platforms, expanding the total to 48 across nine stations. Approach roads have been widened, and 17 permanent Yatri Ashryas have been constructed, increasing holding capacity from 21,000 to over 1,10,000. Additionally, 21 new Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) have been built to eliminate level crossings. A well-coordinated train operation plan, including centralised control rooms and structured crowd flow management, has been implemented. Security measures include the deployment of 1,200 CCTV cameras, including 116 with face recognition technology, as well as drone surveillance. Around 15,000 personnel from RPF, GRP, and paramilitary forces have been stationed at key locations such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, and New Delhi to handle high passenger volumes. New Delhi Railway Station, which already has 16 platforms and three foot-over bridges, is undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. This includes improved station access, better passenger amenities, multimodal transport integration, and enhanced security features. The station redevelopment plan includes new station buildings, an air concourse, a transport hub, and surface and elevated road networks to ease congestion. To address heavy crowding at stations nationwide, Indian Railways is implementing permanent waiting areas at 60 high-traffic stations, pilot testing them in cities like New Delhi, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. Access control measures will allow only passengers with confirmed tickets onto platforms, while unauthorised entry points will be sealed. Wider foot-over bridges, enhanced CCTV surveillance, and centralised war rooms for real-time coordination are also being introduced. Additionally, station staff will receive new uniforms and ID cards for easy identification, while the role of the station director will be upgraded with financial empowerment to manage on-the-spot decisions. Ticket sales will be controlled based on station capacity. A high-level committee has been formed to investigate the New Delhi stampede on February 15, 2025, which resulted in 18 deaths and 15 injuries. These measures reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to improving passenger safety and operational efficiency at major stations across the country. (PIB)