Railways: Trains and stations are always packed during big celebrations like Diwali and Chhath Puja. People take long-distance trains back to their homes, which frequently leads to uncontrollable chaos on platforms. Western Railway has already taken a significant precaution this time around in consideration of the growing number of passengers. Platform ticket sales at four major train stations will be temporarily halted from October 15 to October 31, 2025, according to a statement from the Railways.
In order to prevent any turmoil or accidents on station property over the holiday season, this decision has been made to ensure passenger safety and crowd control.
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Platform Tickets: No Longer Be sold In These Stations
Platform ticket sales have been banned at the following four stations by Western Railway:
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- The Surat
- Mumbai's Terminal at Bandra
- The Udhna
- The Vapi
This prohibition at certain stations will take effect from October 15 until October 31, 2025, the Railways said in a statement.
Vineet Abhishek, the Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) for Western Railway, stated that this measure was implemented to control crowds in order to prevent mayhem or stampedes on the platforms and impede passenger movement. A lot of people go to their hometowns during Diwali and Chhath Puja, he said. Platform ticket sales should be restricted in order to increase security and only permit legitimate passengers to enter.
Platform Tickets: Exemptions Under Specific Situations
People will be permitted to enter the platforms under specific situations, according to the Railways. Only those who come to aid a passenger will be eligible for this exemption, including those who are helping elderly people, going with women, helping people with impairments, and helping passengers who are unwell or illiterate. In these situations, railway officials will grant permission based on the circumstances, but the facility will not be open to the general public.
Stampede Nightmare Act as a Trigger
It is reported that an occurrence from the previous year served as an encouragement for this action. Due to a rush to board a train, a stampede occurred at Mumbai's Bandra station in October 2024, injuring nine people. To avoid a recurrence of the same occurrence, the Railways planned crowd management beforehand before making this decision. During the festivals, the Railways has also deployed more staff and RPF members to prioritize passenger safety.
Passengers Safety and Security Measures
Travelers have been urged by Western Railway to make travel plans ahead of time, purchase tickets on time, and only visit the station when absolutely required. Because of the large rise in station crowds during festivals, the Railways advises passengers to avoid lingering on platforms and to cooperate with train employees when traveling. All four stations at Mumbai have rigorous security measures in place thanks to the Railway administration. GRP and RPF personnel have been increased. Platform crowds will also be monitored by public address systems and CCTV cameras. Anybody discovered to be breaking these regulations will face legal action, according to the railways.
In comparison to regular days, the number of travelers at railway stations across more than doubles between Diwali and Chhath each year. People from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Patna, and Varanasi travel in their thousands to their villages. To make travel easier this year, the Railways have also planned special trains for the festivals. Nonetheless, this short-term prohibition on platform tickets is a component of a crowd-control plan.