Pune Railway Station will temporarily restrict the sale of platform tickets from 1 to 15 November 2026 as Central Railway prepares for a rise in passenger traffic during the Diwali and Chhath festival travel period. The measure means people accompanying or receiving train passengers will generally be expected to enter the station alone, unless they are assisting passengers who need support.
The restriction has been introduced to control congestion on platforms and improve passenger safety during a period when train travel is expected to increase. The Pune railway administration has asked citizens to avoid entering the station unnecessarily and to limit the number of people accompanying each passenger.
The festival holiday period typically brings increased movement of passengers travelling to their native places. Chhath Puja is also expected to add to demand as people travel to participate in celebrations. At Pune Railway Station, the increase in passengers can be accompanied by a rise in the number of relatives arriving to drop off or receive them.
According to the information issued by the railway administration, the resulting crowd on platforms can obstruct passenger movement and make crowd management more difficult. Restricting platform-ticket sales is intended to reduce the number of non-travelling people entering the platforms while allowing the railway staff to manage passenger movement more effectively.
The temporary restriction applies specifically to Pune Railway Station and will remain in force for 15 days, from 1 November through 15 November 2026. It does not mean that every accompanying person will be denied access. Railway authorities have provided exemptions for people accompanying passengers who require assistance.
Platform tickets will continue to be made available to people assisting senior citizens, ill passengers, children and passengers who are unable to read or manage their travel independently. Individuals accompanying women passengers who require assistance in managing their journey will also be eligible for platform tickets.
The exemptions are intended to ensure that crowd-control measures do not prevent passengers with mobility, health, age or other support needs from receiving help at the station. Other passengers and their families have been asked to plan accordingly and to avoid treating the platform as a general waiting or meeting area.
The Pune division of Central Railway has appealed to citizens to cooperate with the temporary arrangement. It has specifically advised that, wherever possible, only one person should accompany a passenger to or from the station, so that congestion within the station premises can be reduced during the festival travel period.
The restriction will end on 15 November 2026 unless the railway administration announces any further direction. Until then, passengers and accompanying relatives will need to account for the platform-ticket rules when planning drop-offs and arrivals at Pune Railway Station.
