- By Akansha Pandey
- Fri, 24 Oct 2025 12:16 PM (IST)
- Source:Jagran News Network
Due to the assembly elections coinciding with Chhath Puja, a significant increase in passenger crowds is anticipated on trains this year. In response, Railway Police have been put on high alert and instructed to formulate a crowd control strategy modeled on the Mahakumbh 2025 plan. A multi-agency control room has also been established to manage the situation.
ADG Rail, Bachchu Singh Meena, recently issued comprehensive guidelines to all Rail IGs and DIGs via video conferencing. The guidelines state that due to the elections, the movement of people for Chhath will be higher than last year. All Railway Police have been directed to obtain the list of special trains being operated and implement the Mahakumbh-level crowd control strategy. Furthermore, instructions have been given to verify any incident or media report within ten minutes and report it to the ADG control room.
Measures At Patna Junction And Other Stations
The railway administration has made extensive preparations for Chhath. As a security measure, the main parking stand at Patna Junction has been closed from today, October 24, until November 2. No vehicles will be permitted to park in the junction's main parking stand during this period.
Abhinav Siddharth, Senior Commercial Manager of the Danapur Rail Division, stated that passenger movement in and around Patna Junction increases significantly during Chhath Puja. The main parking stand has been closed to free up space for passenger movement.
Parking Status (Mahavir Mandir side): Of the two parking stands on this side, the main one will be closed. The New Parking Stand, located near the GPO on the western side, will remain operational.
Parking Status (Karbigahiya side): The main parking stand and the one towards the west will remain open.
Special Facilities For Rail Passengers
The Danapur division has organised extensive arrangements for passenger convenience:
Holding Areas: Three holding areas with a total capacity of 7,500 passengers have been created at Patna Junction. Danapur Junction has two holding areas (4,500 capacity), and Rajendra Nagar Terminal has one (1,200 capacity).
Amenities: All holding areas are equipped with CCTV cameras, 'May I Help You' desks, drinking water facilities, first aid, public announcement systems, train indication boards, and mobile ticketing facilities.
Crowd Control: Coordination with rail management at major stations to create holding areas has been advised. Information on train arrivals, delays, and platforms must be displayed on large boards outside the railway station.
Platform Changes: A warning has been issued against changing train platforms at the last minute, as this has caused stampedes in the past.
Return Journey: The RPF has been instructed to coordinate with the railway administration to devise a strategy for managing the return crowd after the festival.
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Trains To Slow Down Near Ghats
The Railway Police have formally requested the General Manager of East Central Railway, Hajipur, to ensure trains run at a slow speed while sounding their horns when passing over railway bridges and near lines adjacent to Chhath ghats during the evening and morning arghya (offering).
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The letter highlighted that a large number of devotees offer arghya at ghats built along railway lines. The movement of these devotees begins late in the evening on the first day and continues from late at night for the morning offering. In light of this, security arrangements at these sensitive locations are necessary to ensure the safety of the devotees.