Indian Railways has approved the creation of permanent passenger holding areas at major Mumbai railway stations by the festive season of 2026. The initiative, cleared under the Railway Ministry’s infrastructure modernisation plan, is designed to ease congestion and ensure smoother crowd management during peak travel periods.
According to senior railway officials, the plan extends to 75 railway stations nationwide following the success of a pilot project at New Delhi Railway Station. For Mumbai, the new facilities will be set up at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT), Dadar, Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, and several other major junctions under both Central and Western Railway divisions. Officials said the permanent holding areas will serve as designated waiting zones for passengers before boarding, reducing pressure on platforms and concourses. Each area will feature modular infrastructure designed for flexibility and sustainability, with ample seating, medical assistance booths, “May I Help You” counters, ticket scanners, clean drinking water stations, and real-time digital displays of train schedules.
The initiative is a direct response to safety concerns following the overcrowding tragedy at New Delhi Railway Station in February 2025, when a sudden passenger surge led to multiple casualties. The pilot holding area introduced thereafter proved highly effective during subsequent festival rushes, setting a new benchmark for passenger flow management. Railway authorities noted that the Mumbai terminals—among the busiest in the country—face daily passenger volumes exceeding several lakhs. The planned holding areas will help segregate ticketed and non-ticketed passengers, ensuring a more regulated movement of crowds. Enhanced surveillance, crowd control systems, and security arrangements will also be incorporated into the design to ensure both efficiency and safety.
Transport experts view this development as a long-overdue step towards passenger-centric infrastructure that supports both convenience and sustainability. They emphasise that such facilities, when designed with energy-efficient lighting, natural ventilation, and waste segregation systems, can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of large transport hubs. For Mumbai, where railway stations often double as community hubs, these holding zones could serve as micro-models of better urban management—balancing human comfort with operational discipline. The inclusion of gender-neutral restrooms, accessible facilities for the elderly and differently abled, and eco-friendly building materials could further strengthen the city’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable mobility.
As officials target completion before the 2026 festive travel season, the initiative signals a shift in Indian Railways’ approach—from reactive crowd control to proactive passenger planning. For millions of daily commuters in Mumbai, it could mean a future where waiting for a train feels less like a struggle and more like a civilised, comfortable experience.
Mumbai Railway Stations To Get Permanent Passenger Holding Areas Before 2026 Festive Season
