The festive rush is on and this is time when unruly scenes are most common at Delhi’s railway stations due to the onslaught of passengers. The Northern Railway has come up with comprehensive action plan to address the festive challenge.
As part of security arrangements and crowd management measures, Northern Railways has installed CCTV cameras under Integrated Security System at major stations and at reservation centres.
“In order to meet the increased requirement of the staff, re-deployment of the available work force was done. We have also deployed Scouts and Civil Defence personnel in the passenger interface area to supplement the Railway Protection Force (RPF),” said a Northern Railways spokesperson.
Keeping security in mind, all major stations have been equipped with door frame metal detectors and luggage is also being manually checked by RPF personnel.
With a high number of migrant population, Delhi’s railway stations see a surge of passengers visiting their native places, which results in crowding particularly for the unreserved coaches. To ensure that seats in coaches are not cornered by anti-social elements, railways brings trains in locked condition to the platforms. “Teams have been formed to book the antisocial elements involved in seat-cornering,” the spokesperson said.
The authorities have also deployed dog squads, metal detectors at all entry gates, Manila ropes at foot-over-bridges and platforms, apart from deploying security personnel at all entry gates armed with mega mikes and hand held metal detectors.
To avoid overcrowding at any particular railway station, Special trains for festive season have been distributed at four major terminals. “Platform for all the trains including specials are fixed during entire festival rush period,” he said.
There would be ticket checking staff at foot-over-bridges for crowd control, apart from frequent announcements through public address system regarding crowd management at platforms.
To curb the menace of touts during the festive season, joint teams of security and commercial departments have been formed to conduct special drives against touts, unauthorized agents and unauthorized tour operators.
To ensure smooth traffic flow outside the stations, improved traffic plan has been enforced and traffic marshalls have been deputed, the spokesperson said.
“Special attention is being paid to ensure satisfactory condition of all passenger amenities and convenience like water, waiting halls etc. Senior officers have been nominated to remain available at major terminals during the peak rush of Diwali to Chhath,” he said.
Special first aid posts have also been put up at Delhi Main, New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi Sarai Rohilla and Anand Vihar Terminal stations in Delhi.
As part of crowd management measures, the Northern Railway has installed CCTV cameras under integrated security system at major stations and reservation centres
