Railways to Decongest 76 Major Stations With High-Tech Amenities

01 Apr 2026 CW Team

A model holding area at New Delhi Railway Station has been commissioned and is reported to have eased congestion by adding ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and Public Address Systems (PAS) alongside electronic train information boards. Safety and screening measures in the facility include closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, luggage scanners and door frame metal detectors (DFMDs), together with uninterrupted power supply, improved lighting and high volume low speed (HVLS) fans. Amenities also incorporate reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water and separate toilets for men, women and Divyangjans.

Under a revised access control protocol passengers holding confirmed reserved tickets will be allowed direct entry to platforms while those without a valid ticket or holding waiting list tickets will be accommodated in the designated outside holding areas until travel status is verified or space permits. Operational coordination will be strengthened through war rooms at major stations where officers from all departments will work together and through the rollout of the latest digital communications and announcement systems. All staff will receive quick response (QR) based identity cards and uniforms to aid secure access and rapid identification in emergencies.

Further infrastructure upgrades include the introduction of wider foot-over-bridges (FOBs) with two new standard designs of 12 metre and six metre widths to be installed across stations to facilitate smoother movement. Safety monitoring will be augmented by deployment of artificial intelligence enabled CCTV cameras for real-time crowd surveillance and management. The ministry noted that timelines for planning and execution will be subject to iterative optimisation and that the measures were disclosed by the Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry of Railways has launched a nationwide plan to establish dedicated passenger holding areas at 76 major stations to decongest platforms and manage peak passenger flows. The initiative by Indian Railways (IR) is intended to provide organised spaces equipped with seating, ticketing facilities and essential services. The zones will aim to streamline passenger movement and reduce platform overcrowding. A model holding area at New Delhi Railway Station has been commissioned and is reported to have eased congestion by adding ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and Public Address Systems (PAS) alongside electronic train information boards. Safety and screening measures in the facility include closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance, luggage scanners and door frame metal detectors (DFMDs), together with uninterrupted power supply, improved lighting and high volume low speed (HVLS) fans. Amenities also incorporate reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water and separate toilets for men, women and Divyangjans. Under a revised access control protocol passengers holding confirmed reserved tickets will be allowed direct entry to platforms while those without a valid ticket or holding waiting list tickets will be accommodated in the designated outside holding areas until travel status is verified or space permits. Operational coordination will be strengthened through war rooms at major stations where officers from all departments will work together and through the rollout of the latest digital communications and announcement systems. All staff will receive quick response (QR) based identity cards and uniforms to aid secure access and rapid identification in emergencies. Further infrastructure upgrades include the introduction of wider foot-over-bridges (FOBs) with two new standard designs of 12 metre and six metre widths to be installed across stations to facilitate smoother movement. Safety monitoring will be augmented by deployment of artificial intelligence enabled CCTV cameras for real-time crowd surveillance and management. The ministry noted that timelines for planning and execution will be subject to iterative optimisation and that the measures were disclosed by the Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

MMRDA Removes 1.14 lakh m of Metro Barricades

In a bid to ease congestion and improve urban mobility during monsoon, MMRDA has undertaken one of the largest coordinated barricade removal and monsoon preparedness drives across its ongoing metro and infrastructure projects.With substantial progress achieved in viaduct and structural works across multiple metro corridors, barricades from completed stretches beneath metro viaducts are being systematically removed, restoring maximum possible road space before the monsoon. Wider carriageways across key arterial roads are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, support better rainwa..

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

Pune Division to Remove All Diamond Crossings by Year-End

The Pune railway division has announced plans to remove all 16 diamond crossings by the end of 2026 as part of a major yard remodelling project following the derailment of a Vande Bharat Express at Pune Junction on April 27. Railway authorities said the replacements aim to improve safety and streamline train operations across the busy station. The decision followed a Central Railway finding that the accident involved a non-standard diamond crossing and highlighted the need for replacement. Regular maintenance of existing crossings will continue until the replacement work is completed. Official..

Infrastructure Urban

15 May 2026

Goa Declares 80 Million Square Metres No Development Zone

The Goa state government has declared 80 million square metres (mn) of land a no development zone, designating the area as protected from new construction. The notification reclassifies tracts across the state under a no development category for planning and regulatory purposes. The declaration signals a formal halt to new building permits within the defined zone. Authorities indicated that maps will be issued to show broad boundaries while detailed surveys will refine precise limits. The move transfers responsibility for enforcement to local planning authorities and relevant departments, whic..