Union Minister for Railways, Information & Broadcasting, and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted an on-ground review at New Delhi Railway Station, assessing arrangements made for passengers during the festive travel season. Speaking to the media, the Minister said that 1.2 million railway employees were working tirelessly to ensure the safe and smooth travel of passengers, noting that more than 10 million travellers had already benefited from special train services. On average, 425,000 passengers depart daily from the Delhi area, with major stations such as Surat, Mumbai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru under continuous monitoring. Every division and zone has established a dedicated war room for 24-hour oversight of train movements and passenger convenience. During his visit, Vaishnaw inspected the RPF Control Room, First Aid Room, and interacted with passengers aboard the Patna-bound Amrit Bharat Express. Travellers commended the improved facilities and coordination. Senior officials, including Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar and Northern Railway General Manager Ashok Kumar Verma, accompanied the Minister. Before his visit, the Minister reviewed special train operations from the Rail Bhawan War Room, directing officials to prioritise passenger comfort and safety. Festive Rush and Special Services Indian Railways is operating 12,011 special trains this festive season — a sharp rise from 7,724 in 2024 — to meet soaring travel demand. Between 1 and 20 October 2025, over 10 million passengers travelled on 4,211 special trains, and an additional 7,800 services are planned for Diwali and Chhath. In the New Delhi zone alone, 2.1 million passengers travelled between 16 and 20 October, up from 1.97 million during the same period last year — an increase of 130,000 passengers. Passenger Facilities Strengthened Indian Railways has enhanced facilities nationwide, adding holding areas, extra ticket counters, drinking water points, and clean washrooms. At Rail Bhawan, a central command centre monitors live passenger flows and addresses complaints or congestion in real time. Over 80 war rooms operate at national, zonal, and divisional levels. Stations such as Jaipur have deployed mobile ticketing systems (M-UTS) to issue tickets directly within holding areas. In Vadodara Division, more than 3 million passengers have travelled to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal through regular and special services. At Udhna, 5,000 water bottles were distributed to passengers as part of the Railways’ passenger care drive. At Thanjavur Junction, elderly passengers were provided with air-conditioned retiring rooms, demonstrating the Railways’ focus on comfort and accessibility. New Initiatives and Inclusivity Indian Railways has launched a nursing room at Mysuru Railway Station under Project Ayushman, offering hygienic and private facilities for mothers and infants. Meanwhile, Lucknow City Station has become North India’s first fully women-staffed railway station, with all operations managed by a 34-member female team — a milestone for inclusivity and empowerment. Medical Preparedness and Public Safety In a recent incident, Dr Jithin P. S., Divisional Medical Officer at Palakkad Junction, treated a passenger’s dislocated jaw on the platform minutes before departure, earning praise for swift medical intervention. The Railways also warned against misinformation on social media, clarifying that several old visuals of crowding are being falsely circulated. Over 40 such cases have been flagged, with FIRs filed against those spreading false information. A Season of Efficient, Safe Travel Passengers across stations including Prayagraj, Valsad, Visakhapatnam, and Sambalpur reported improved management and comfort. The Railways reiterated its commitment to safety, transparency, and service excellence, urging the public to rely only on official communication channels for verified travel updates.