Kolkata Metro Railway has stepped up security and crowd-control measures at major stations as Durga Puja pandal-hopping begins, with additional Railway Protection Force personnel, Quick Response Teams and disaster management staff to be deployed from 16 to 21 October.
The arrangements will cover Dakshineswar, Dum Dum, Shyambazar, Sovabazar-Sutanuti, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Central, Park Street, Jatin Das Park, Kalighat, Rabindra Sarobar, Masterda Surya Sen and Kavi Nazrul stations. Esplanade, Howrah, Howrah Maidan and Sealdah stations will also remain under special security surveillance, according to Kolkata Metro Railway officials.
The measures are intended to manage the sharp increase in passenger movement associated with Durga Puja, when Metro becomes a key mode of travel for residents and visitors moving between crowded neighbourhoods and popular pandal locations. Security personnel will be deployed on platforms to control crowds, prevent passengers from crossing the yellow line and stop unauthorised entry into tunnel or viaduct areas.
Quick Response Teams, including women RPF personnel, will operate at stations and on trains to respond to emergencies and assist commuters. Women RPF teams will specifically support the safety of women and children during the festival period. Disaster Management Teams will also be positioned at various stations and trains.
The Metro Railway has ordered additional patrolling around vital installations, including midpoint shafts, cooling towers, pump houses and electrical substations. Security arrangements will also be strengthened at the Noapara, Tollygunge, Kavi Subhash, Central Park and Joka car sheds during the Puja days.
The security plan combines visible deployment with surveillance and real-time monitoring. Personnel from the Intelligence and Detective Wing will watch crowded stations and monitor suspicious movements, while officials at the Security Control will track CCTV footage. The authorities said frequent announcements would be made through public address systems to prevent untoward incidents and guide passengers during periods of heavy crowding.
RPF personnel will use loudhailers, walkie-talkies and Q-Managers to assist passengers and support crowd dispersal. The deployment of these tools reflects the operational challenge of managing large numbers of passengers in confined station spaces, particularly around platforms, access points and ticketing areas.
Kolkata Metro Railway also said additional booking counters would be opened at important stations. The measure is intended to support passenger movement during the festival rush, alongside the increased staffing and surveillance arrangements. The authorities have not provided passenger-volume estimates or details of any changes to train frequency in the announcement.
The special arrangements are scheduled to remain in place through 21 October, covering the period identified by Metro Railway officials for enhanced security and crowd management during the Puja travel surge.
