As Maha Shivratri approaches, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted an on-site inspection at New Delhi Railway Station to review arrangements aimed at ensuring smooth travel for the large number of passengers expected during the festival.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Vaishnaw highlighted the positive feedback from passengers regarding the station’s preparations. “In the holding area, there are 36 ticket counters, and automatic ticket vending machines have also been set up. So, passengers can buy tickets from outside the station itself. I spoke to passengers, and they are happy with this arrangement,” he said.
Vaishnaw also noted that additional trains are being operated to meet the surge in demand during the festive season. “At New Delhi railway station, on the occasion of Maha Shivratri, special arrangements have been made. A holding area has been created, and after getting tickets there, passengers proceed in an orderly line. Daily 3-4 special trains are being run as needed,” the Minister added.
These measures follow a tragic stampede at the station on February 15, when thousands of devotees heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival caused severe overcrowding, resulting in 18 deaths and multiple injuries.
In response, the Northern Railway implemented special measures on February 23 to manage the surge of passengers. Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, described an innovative approach used to monitor ticket sales live.
“At Delhi railway station, ticket sales were monitored through a new innovative method. Hourly monitoring was done, and hourly trains to Prayagraj were arranged. We started five trains on demand, which helped manage the crowd coming for the Maha Kumbh,” Upadhyay told ANI.
He also mentioned the high-level oversight in place. “Our Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was present in the Railway Board’s room. The General Manager of Northern Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager of Delhi were deployed at the station, and they monitored the situation live,” he added.
The last major bathing day of the ongoing Maha Kumbh will take place on Maha Shivratri, scheduled for February 26, with the railway authorities continuing their efforts to ensure safe and smooth travel for devotees.
