Northern Railway deploys crowd control measures ahead of Diwali festival

The Northern Railway has initiated a series of infrastructure and operational changes to manage passenger congestion during the Diwali travel season at major stations across Delhi. Officials have established permanent holding areas at key railway stations to better regulate crowd flow and prevent dangerous overcrowding on platforms during peak festive periods.

Among the key measures is the suspension of platform ticket sales, a move designed to restrict non-travelling visitors from entering platforms and thereby reduce the total number of people in circulation areas. This decision comes as the railway zone prepares for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, when millions of passengers undertake journeys to visit family and celebrate the festival.

The crowd management strategy reflects growing concerns about passenger safety during high-volume travel periods. By creating dedicated waiting and holding zones, the Northern Railway aims to distribute passenger load more evenly across station facilities and reduce the risk of crushing incidents at platform edges.

Railway authorities have advised passengers to arrive at stations well in advance of their scheduled departure times and to follow posted instructions from staff. The measures are expected to remain in place through the peak Diwali travel period before being reassessed based on operational feedback.

The Northern Railway zone, which operates services across Delhi and adjoining regions, handles millions of commuters daily and witnesses substantially increased passenger volumes during major festivals and holiday periods.