Pune: In a move aimed at better crowd management, Central Railway is set to establish permanent holding areas at six of its busiest stations, including Pune. This initiative is part of a larger project covering 60 major railway stations across India.

Pune station currently has a limited holding area near its parcel office. However, due to the increasing passenger volume, the railway authorities plan to expand the space.

Stations Included Under Central Railway:

• Pune

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)

• Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT)

• Nagpur

• Kalyan

• Nashik

With Pune station handling around 1.7 lakh passengers daily, and the number exceeding 2 lakh during festivals, the need for a dedicated waiting area has become crucial.

Plan for Land Acquisition

After yard restructuring, available open space will be converted into a permanent holding area.

Given the rapid increase in passenger footfall, railway authorities are prioritizing the development of these waiting zones.

According to Dr. Swapnil Neela, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway, Mumbai:

"Holding areas will help manage crowd surges efficiently. Six Central Railway stations are likely to be included among the 60 selected across India. If necessary, additional land will be acquired for stations with space constraints."

Current Challenges in Crowd Management

• Peak season rush: Trains to North India witness severe overcrowding during festivals.

• Limited waiting space: The administration currently allows only 1,000-1,500 passengers in waiting areas.

• Queue system: To prevent platform congestion, passengers are let onto the platform only when trains arrive.

• Lack of infrastructure: There is no robust system to handle sudden crowd surges.