In response to increasing crowding at key railway stations during the festive season, Central Railway has imposed temporary restrictions on platform ticket sales at several major locations. This decision follows a recent stampede incident at Bandra Terminus under Western Railway.
Affected Stations
The Central Railway has announced that platform ticket restrictions will be enforced at the following stations: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Kurla LTT, Thane, Kalyan, Pune, Nagpur
In a parallel move, Western Railway has also restricted platform ticket sales at multiple stations, including: Mumbai Central, Dadar, BandraTerminus, Borivali, Vasai Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, Surat
These restrictions are in place to manage the influx of passengers during Diwali and Chhath Puja, aiming to ensure smoother movement and safety within the stations. Officials have stated that senior citizens and individuals with medical needs are exempt from this rule.
New Train Services to Meet DemandTo accommodate the high demand during the festive period, Central Railway has also announced two unreserved special trains operating between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Gorakhpur. With the addition of these trains, the total number of special services for the festivals has now reached 583.
The first special train, numbered 01019, is scheduled to depart from CSMT, Mumbai at 2:30 PM on October 28, and will arrive in Gorakhpur by 11 PM the following day. The return journey (train number 01020) will leave Gorakhpur at 12:45 AM on October 30, reaching CSMT at 10:35 AM the next day. Both trains will make stops at major stations along the route.
Recent Stampede IncidentThe decision to restrict platform ticket sales follows a stampede that occurred at Bandra Terminus on Sunday morning. At approximately 2:45 AM, at least 10 individuals were injured as passengers rushed to board the unreserved Bandra Terminus-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express, which was set to depart at 5:10 AM. The incident highlights the urgent need for crowd control measures during peak travel periods.
As the festival season approaches, railway authorities are taking proactive steps to ensure passenger safety and streamline operations.
