New Delhi/Mumbai: In the wake of the recent stampede at Bandra Terminus, temporary restrictions on sale of platform tickets have been imposed at railway stations in Delhi and Mumbai. The railways have suspended the sale of platform tickets at Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vasai Road, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna and Surat stations of Mumbai Division, anticipating festive rush, until November 8. Similar restrictions have been ordered for Pune, Kalyan and Thane stations as well for the festive period.
The move aims to manage crowding on platforms and ensure smooth passenger movement within the station premises, said a spokesperson of Western Railways.
There will be no sale of platform tickets also at New Delhi, Old Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar and Delhi Sarai Rohilla railway stations till November 6, a spokesperson of the Northern Railways said.
Earlier, at least 10 were injured in a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus railway station last Sunday as hundreds were attempting to board a Gorakhpur-bound unreserved train.
Platform tickets will also not be available at Ghaziabad Junction railway station till November 6. However, persons coming to the stations just to assist the aged, illiterate and women passengers, have been exempted from this restriction, an official said.
Northern Railways has also announced the implementation of special crowd management and control measures at New Delhi and Anand Vihar railway stations till November 7, keeping in mind the upcoming festive season.
A designated holding area has been set up at New Delhi station (Ajmeri Gate side) and Anand Vihar station circulating area, equipped with additional ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, enquiry counters, help desk, catering services, drinking water and mobile toilets.
Meanwhile, direct entry from the Delhi metro skywalk to the foot overbridge linking the metro station with the railway station has been temporarily close for the festive season.
Some trains, especially those heading towards Bihar, such as Bihar Sampark Kranti (12566), Sampoorna Kranti (12394), Vaishali Express (12554) and Purshottam Express (12802) have been temporarily reassigned to specific platforms for better management of crowd.
Northern Railways has also urged passengers to arrive at least an hour before their train’s scheduled departure for seamless boarding process.
