Station Director to be empowered to take decisions during festival rush

Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw today said 73 major stations facing rush situations will have a Station Director empowered to take “on-the-spot decongesting decisions ” during festive rush. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha today, Mr Vaishnaw said Railways will enhance crowd management with wider Foot Over Bridges and creation of Permanent Holding Areas outside stations. He informed that pilot project for Holding Areas is in progress at five stations. CCTV surveillance, walkie-talkies, announcement systems and war rooms are being set sp at major stations to help decongest heavy crowd situations. He added that only confirmed ticket holders will be given direct access to platforms. Ticketless and Waitlisted passengers will stay in the Outside Waiting Area till the arrival of the train.