New Delhi Railway Station faced significant overcrowding on Sunday evening, following delays in the departure of several key trains, including the Shiv Ganga Express, which was delayed by more than an hour. In response to this congestion, Indian Railways has devised a contingency plan to deploy a special train equipped with general coaches and unreserved seating, aimed at easing the pressure on the station’s platforms during such situations.
The plan, officials say, is designed to ensure smoother handling of passenger surges when a number of trains experience delays. Although these occurrences are rare, railway authorities are preparing for such eventualities, with the understanding that unreserved ticket holders can benefit from the emergency train service. Passengers with reserved tickets will still be required to wait for their scheduled trains to arrive, but those without reservations will be able to board the special train, helping clear overcrowded platforms more quickly.
Sunday’s crowding was triggered by the late departure of several trains, including the Shiv Ganga Express, which was initially scheduled to depart at 8:05 pm but eventually left after 9:20 pm. In addition, the Swatantrata Senani Express was already occupying the platform, and both the Jammu Rajdhani Express and the Magadh Express further added to the congestion. The resulting situation prompted immediate crowd control measures by station authorities, though thankfully, no injuries were reported.
To prevent future overcrowding during peak seasons, Indian Railways is planning to station two standby trains at major stations, including New Delhi, to handle any sudden surge in passenger numbers. The new plan is expected to bring significant relief during festive periods and other times of high travel volume.
The introduction of an emergency train service is part of a larger effort by the railways to ensure smoother operations and better management of passenger flows, addressing not just the immediate issue of overcrowding, but also focusing on enhancing the overall experience for train travellers across the country.
