Railways to run 1700 special trains during festive season

DIMAPUR — To ensure maximum comfort for travellers without compromising on quality of service delivery, Indian Railways (IR) has undertaken a series of initiatives this festive season by introducing around 1700 special trains across India.

An update from the chief PRO of NFR, Sabyasachi De, stated that 26 lakh berths are made available this festive season, which is a record number. Considering the passenger rush, he stated that around 28 pairs of special trains have been running to and from NF Railway jurisdiction. These special trains have been operating in addition to the scheduled passenger trains.

To cope up with the waiting list of passengers of regular trains connecting major destinations, special trains are running from Agartala to Guwahati, Kolkata, Secunderabad, Rani Kamalapati, etc.; Dhubri to New Tinsukia; Dibrugarh to Secunderabad, Gorakhpur; New Jalpaiguri to Amritsar, Sealdah, Howrah, etc; Katihar to Ranchi, Mumbai, Amritsar; Naharlagun to Okha, Silchar; Purnea to AnandVihar Terminus; and Guwahati to Kolkata, Ranchi, Udaipur, Santragachi, etc.

It stated that elaborate crowd control arrangements are made at all major and important railway stations, where the huge crowds are predicted to reach for travelling to various destinations to celebrate festivals. It added that senior officers are stationed at those stations to monitor all the activities to regulate the crowd in a systematic manner.

Besides, it stated that Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) staff are deployed at foot-over bridges to regulate crowd smoothly in order to avoid stampede like situation during the heavy rush period.

It stated that skilled RPF staff are deployed in CCTV control room to keep a close watch on the crowded areas and render real time assistance to passengers. It added that proper announcement regarding trains/ coaches is ensured well in time so that passengers are made aware of the location of general coaches and the platform from which the trains would depart.

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