Are 12,000 Special Trains Operating to Stop Overcrowding Rumors Amid Festive Rush?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 12,000 special trains have been introduced to manage passenger surge.
- A dedicated waiting area is available for passengers at Anand Vihar.
- Real-time monitoring through control rooms is implemented across major stations.
- Over 600 security personnel are deployed for crowd control.
- The Railway Minister emphasizes the need to combat misinformation during peak travel times.
New Delhi, Oct 19 (NationPress) In light of the significant festive travel surge ahead of Diwali and Chhath, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the Anand Vihar Terminal in the national capital on Sunday. He assessed passenger arrangements, engaged with officials and travelers, and strongly urged civil society and opposition parties to refrain from spreading rumors on social media regarding overcrowding and mismanagement.
With millions heading home for the festivities, the Railway Minister confirmed that Indian Railways has implemented special measures to manage the increased passenger flow and ensure a safe, comfortable journey.
After his inspection, Vaishnaw remarked, "Every year during Diwali and Chhath, there is a massive influx of travelers heading to their hometowns. This year is no different, with a notable surge at key terminals across the nation. To accommodate this, approximately 12,000 additional train services have been introduced."
He also engaged with numerous passengers at the terminal, who expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements made.
Present during the inspection were Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, Delhi Division DRM Pushpesh R. Tripathi, Northern Railway GM Ashok Verma, and ASC Chetan Jichkar.
Verma updated the media about a specialized “war room” mechanism in place.
"Control rooms have been established at all major stations to oversee train movements in real-time. Immediate decisions are being made regarding platform allocations and departure clearances to prevent crowding," he stated.
Regarding security measures, Jichkar revealed that over 600 personnel, including RPF, RPSF, CORAS commandos, and dog squads, have been deployed for stringent monitoring and crowd management.
A dedicated waiting area has been arranged outside Anand Vihar station, providing passengers with a comfortable place to wait prior to boarding.
The Railway Minister personally scrutinized the station facilities, the mini control room, and the CCTV surveillance setup to evaluate preparedness.
He also dismissed circulating social media reports concerning overcrowding and mismanagement, urging civil society and political entities, particularly the opposition, to avoid spreading falsehoods.
"Some old and misleading videos are being shared to create panic. I kindly request everyone to stop disseminating such misinformation. The situation is entirely under control, and all passengers are being managed in an organized manner," he stated.
The minister extended his best wishes to the 1.2 million railway employees working tirelessly and wished all travelers a safe journey home for the celebrations.