In a bid to enhance passenger safety and streamline crowd management, the Union Railways Ministry has approved the creation of permanent waiting areas outside 60 major railway stations across the country. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday, as per an official statement. The move follows the tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15, which resulted in 18 casualties. The initiative aims to control periodic passenger surges, with waiting areas designed to hold large crowds outside stations. Passengers will only be permitted onto platforms once their trains arrive. However, the list of selected stations is yet to be disclosed. Key Measures for Crowd Control and Station Management The waiting area initiative was first tested as a pilot project at New Delhi, Anand Vihar, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Patna stations during the 2024 festive season. To further tighten security and improve crowd control, additional measures have been approved: Access control at selected stations, allowing entry only to passengers with confirmed reserved tickets. Closure of unauthorised entry points to prevent uncontrolled access. Deployment of senior officers as station directors, granting them financial autonomy to make immediate decisions for station improvements. Regulation of ticket sales based on station capacity and train availability. Infrastructure and Security Enhancements To support the new waiting areas, the Railways will install wider Foot Over Bridges (FOBs), based on new design specifications: 12-metre-wide FOBs for high-traffic stations 6-metre-wide FOBs for medium-traffic stations These FOBs, featuring ramps, proved highly effective in crowd management during Maha Kumbh. Additionally, station security will be upgraded with: Enhanced CCTV surveillance for real-time monitoring. Dedicated war rooms at large stations, enabling officers from multiple departments to coordinate crowd control efforts. Modernised communication tools, including walkie-talkies, public announcement systems, and upgraded calling networks. Newly designed identity cards for railway personnel to prevent unauthorised access during emergencies. Addressing Recent Overcrowding Incidents The initiative comes in response to overcrowding concerns, particularly following the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station on February 15. The incident occurred when thousands of passengers gathered to board three Prayagraj-bound trains for the Maha Kumbh pilgrimage, leading to a dangerous buildup on platform 14. Delays in two other Prayagraj-bound trains further exacerbated the situation, resulting in chaos. By implementing structured waiting areas, access control, and enhanced security measures, the Indian Railways aims to prevent such incidents, ensuring a safer and more organised passenger experience.