Diwali Train Travel: Delhi's rail network is getting ready for one of its busiest travel periods as people head home for Diwali, Bhai Dooj and Chhath Puja. To avoid congestion and keep things moving smoothly at stations, Northern Railway has brought in several crowd-control measures in the National Capital. These include a dedicated passenger holding facility at New Delhi Railway Station, a temporary ban on platform-ticket sales at six stations, and limiting parcel-related activities. These arrangements are especially important for passengers travelling towards Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Odisha, where festive travel demand is expected to be high.
Dedicated Holding Area At New Delhi Railway Station
Passengers entering New Delhi Railway Station from the Ajmeri Gate side will now find a permanent holding area just outside Platform 16. Instead of letting large crowds gather directly on the platforms, this space will act as a designated waiting zone where passenger movement can be better managed. Unlike the temporary tents that were put up during earlier festive rushes, this is a permanent arrangement. It is different from the Yatri Suvidha Kendra, the 6,000-square-metre passenger facility that was inaugurated at the station on October 11 last year.
Baggage-scanning equipment is being installed at the holding area. The Railway Protection Force will also have a stronger presence to keep an eye on passenger movement, manage queues and help travellers reach their platforms.
No Platform Ticket Sales At These 6 Stations
To reduce unnecessary crowding, Northern Railway has decided to stop selling platform tickets at six busy stations between November 3 and November 14, 2026. The stations are: New Delhi Railway Station, Old Delhi Railway Station (Delhi Junction), Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station, Ghaziabad Railway Station, Anand, Vihar Terminal, and Anand Vihar Halt. However, there are some exemptions to elderly, sick, specially abled and illiterate passengers, as well as women passengers who require assistance.
Parcel Operations To Face Temporary Ban
Parcel activities will also be regulated at major railway stations in Delhi. The restrictions, however, vary from station to station and depend on the type of operation.
New Delhi, Old Delhi and Anand Vihar Terminal: Departmental parcel booking will remain restricted from November 3 to November 15. Loading and unloading of all categories of parcels will be stopped between November 5 and November 15.
Anand Vihar Terminal: Parcel loading and unloading will be allowed at its washing line and stabling line despite the wider restrictions.
Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station: The restrictions at Hazrat Nizamuddin will start on November 5 and continue until November 15. Both departmental parcel booking and parcel loading and unloading will remain suspended during these dates. Operations at the station’s VP siding, however, have been kept outside the loading and unloading restrictions.
With extra trains, tighter entry arrangements and temporary limits on non-passenger activities, Northern Railway is trying to keep Delhi’s major stations running smoothly during the festive travel rush. Passengers are advised to plan their journeys in advance and keep some extra time for station entry and boarding formalities.