Western Railway has suspended platform ticket sales at six stations from November 1 to 15 as it prepares for a sharp increase in passenger traffic during the Diwali and Chhath Puja travel period. The restriction applies to Bandra, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, Surat and Mehsana stations and is intended to limit non-essential visitors, reduce congestion and improve passenger safety during boarding and deboarding.
The railway expects crowds to rise particularly on trains heading towards Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Passenger movement is likely to intensify over the weekend as employees receive their salaries ahead of Diwali and begin travelling to their hometowns, according to the report. By limiting access to people who are not travelling, Western Railway is seeking to reduce the number of people gathered on platforms during the busiest period.
At Ahmedabad’s Kalupur and Sabarmati stations, the railway has created special holding areas to manage passengers before they are allowed onto platforms. These areas have lighting, fans, drinking water and toilets, allowing passengers to wait in a controlled environment rather than gathering near platform entrances or along crowded concourses.
Passengers will be asked to queue in the designated holding spaces and will be moved towards the platforms in phases before their trains arrive. The phased-entry system is intended to prevent overcrowding, jostling and uncontrolled movement at station access points. The arrangements are focused on managing the flow of passengers rather than allowing large groups to assemble on platforms well before train departures.
Western Railway is also deploying additional personnel from the Railway Protection Force and the Government Railway Police at Kalupur and Sabarmati. Staff equipped with walkie-talkies will coordinate crowd-control operations, while CCTV cameras will be used to identify areas where congestion is building and support rapid intervention.
The Railway Commercial Department, RPF and GRP will jointly supervise passenger queues and boarding arrangements during the festive period. Their responsibilities will include regulating access, coordinating movement from holding areas and responding to congestion at the two Ahmedabad stations. The platform-ticket suspension at the six listed stations is scheduled to remain in force until November 15.
