Indian Railways to Overhaul 76 Major Stations with "War Rooms" and High-Tech Zones

NEW DELHI – Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a comprehensive infrastructure plan to decongest 76 major stations across India. The strategy focuses on real-time crowd management and upgraded passenger facilities to handle peak-hour traffic.

Key Infrastructure Upgrades

• Dedicated Holding Areas: Following a successful model at New Delhi Railway Station, 76 stations will receive outside zones equipped with seating, RO water, and digital information boards.
• Access Control: A new protocol will grant passengers with confirmed tickets direct platform entry, while those with waiting-list tickets will be accommodated in designated holding areas.
• Expanded Foot-Over-Bridges (FOBs): New standard designs for 12-meter and 6-meter wide bridges will be rolled out nationwide to improve passenger flow.

High-Tech Safety & Operations

• Station "War Rooms": Major hubs will establish coordination centers where officers from all departments work together for real-time problem-solving.
• AI Surveillance: AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed for live crowd monitoring and security.
• Digital Communication: Staff will be equipped with latest-generation walkie-talkies and QR-based ID cards for secure access.

Administrative Shift

In a major reform, the Station Director post is being upgraded at all major stations. These senior officers will now lead a unified command, possessing the financial power to make on-the-spot decisions and the authority to regulate ticket sales based on station capacity.