Railways Minister Vaishnaw visits Anand Vihar, reviews festive rush arrangements
Synopsis
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw made a ground visit to Anand Vihar station, personally collecting passenger feedback while flagging a 50% jump in special trains — from 12,000 to over 18,000 — deployed for the festive season. With 700 AI cameras and a live War Room at Rail Bhawan, the ministry is betting on technology to manage its busiest travel period.
Key Takeaways
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited Anand Vihar Railway Station on 7 November 2026 for a ground-level review of festive arrangements.
Over 18,000 additional special trains are running this festive season, up from around 12,000 last year.
Dedicated passenger holding areas have been set up at around 20 stations to manage the surge ahead of Chhath Puja .
Around 700 AI-enabled cameras and a live War Room at Rail Bhawan are being used for real-time crowd management.
Festive-season preparations reportedly began six months in advance .
The Minister paid for tea at a station stall via UPI , spotlighting the Digital India initiative.
Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday, 7 November 2026, conducted a ground-level review of festive-season arrangements at Anand Vihar Railway Station in New Delhi, interacting directly with passengers to gather first-hand feedback on crowd management, facilities, and special train services deployed ahead of Chhath Puja. The visit also included a review of the War Room at Rail Bhawan, according to an official statement.
Key Developments at the Station
During his walkthrough, Vaishnaw stopped at a tea stall inside the station, paid using UPI, and interacted with passengers — including youth, women, and children — to gauge satisfaction with ground-level services. Most passengers, according to the official statement, expressed appreciation for recent improvements and modern upgrades to railway amenities.
The Minister also highlighted the deployment of around 700 AI-enabled cameras across stations for enhanced monitoring, alongside dedicated ticket counters and multiple scanning facilities to ease passenger movement.
Special Trains and Festive Surge Preparedness
Indian Railways has ramped up capacity significantly for the festive period. Vaishnaw said over 18,000 additional special trains are being operated this season, compared to roughly 12,000 last year — a jump of 50%. Dedicated passenger holding areas have been set up at around 20 stations to manage the expected surge in movement.
Preparations reportedly began nearly six months in advance, with particular focus on the anticipated spike ahead of Chhath Puja, one of the highest-traffic periods on the Indian Railways network.
Role of Technology in Crowd Management
Vaishnaw underscored the railway ministry's push toward AI-driven operations. The War Room at Rail Bhawan now integrates CCTV feeds, AI-based systems, and real-time data to monitor operational efficiency, passenger safety, and crowd dynamics across major stations. This comes amid a broader national effort to modernise railway infrastructure ahead of high-footfall religious events.
Notably, the deployment of AI-enabled surveillance at this scale is a step up from previous festive-season protocols, signalling a structural shift in how the railways manage peak-load periods.
What This Means for Passengers
The combination of additional special trains, dedicated holding zones, and AI-based monitoring aims to reduce congestion and improve safety at high-footfall stations. The direct ministerial visit and feedback loop also indicates a renewed emphasis on accountability and real-time course correction during festive rushes — a period that has historically strained station infrastructure.
With Chhath Puja travel peaking in the coming days, how effectively these arrangements hold under actual surge conditions will be the true test of the ministry's preparedness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visit Anand Vihar station?
Vaishnaw visited Anand Vihar Railway Station on 7 November 2026 to conduct a ground-level review of festive-season arrangements and collect direct feedback from passengers on facilities and crowd management ahead of Chhath Puja. He also reviewed the War Room at Rail Bhawan, which monitors stations using AI and real-time data.
How many special trains has Indian Railways deployed for the 2026 festive season?
Indian Railways is operating over 18,000 additional special trains during the 2026 festive season, up from around 12,000 in the previous year — an increase of roughly 50%. The trains are part of a broader effort to manage the high passenger volume around Chhath Puja.
What technology is Indian Railways using for crowd management this festive season?
The railways has deployed around 700 AI-enabled cameras at major stations, integrated with CCTV feeds and a War Room at Rail Bhawan that uses real-time data for crowd monitoring, passenger safety, and operational efficiency. The system marks a significant upgrade from earlier festive-season protocols.
Which stations have dedicated passenger holding areas for the festive rush?
Dedicated passenger holding areas have been set up at around 20 stations to manage the surge in footfall during the festive season. The arrangements also include dedicated ticket counters and multiple scanning facilities for smoother passenger movement.
When did preparations for the Chhath Puja travel surge begin?
According to the Railways Minister, preparations for the festive-season rush began nearly six months in advance, with particular attention to managing the expected spike in passenger movement ahead of Chhath Puja.
