New Delhi:
Railways on Saturday conducted a test for crowd control measures at New Delhi railway station, in which the movements of unreserved passengers were banned on the same platform and since the demand was generated, all the great Kumbh special trains were scheduled.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the entire exercise was done on suggestions and under the continuous monitoring of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, which was assisted by Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar and other senior officials. All kept a close watch on the test from the war room of Rail Bhavan in New Delhi.
Mr. Vaishnav told PTI that the experiment proved to be successful as it prevented the congestion of other platforms and ensured the spontaneous transfer of devotees for trains and their further travel.
“I personally monitored the entire experiment with the Chairman of the Railway Board from the war room at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi. On one side, both reserved and unreserved travele Boarding and D-boarding on the respective platforms, the devotees also had a trouble-free, comfortable and safe journey for the Kumbh Mela from their nominated platform number 16, ”said Mr. Vaishnav.
“Senior Northern Railway officials were present at the New Delhi station to assess the status of the land and the railway boards were also in touch with them. Now, the experience will help us in a better plan for all such trains to run special trains. Opportunities in the future, “the minister said.
Officials said that the Railway Ministry chose to prosecute on Saturday as 18 passengers died and many were injured as a stampede on the same day between 8 and 9 pm.
Immediately after the stampede, a temporary passenger holding area was constructed in the station area and it was decided that all special trains for Prayagraj would depart from one side of the station from the first platform platform number 16.
“On Saturday, between 2.30 pm and 11.30 pm, we monitored unreserved ticket sales every half an hour. We saw 969 tickets sold between 2.30 pm and 3 pm.
“This number increased to 466 in the next 30 minutes and continued up to 7,100 by 7 pm. However, after that, it started growing and between 7 to 7.30 pm, 1,445 tickets were sold. And 9 pm, and 9 pm, “Himanshu Upadhyay, CPRO, Northern Railway, told PTI.
“When we monitored the sale of unreserved tickets, we continued to schedule the trains and when the number of unreserved passengers reached about 2,500. They were asked to wait in the holding area and only one gate in platform number 16 Permitted to enter. They were not allowed to enter any other platform.
According to officials, the Railways operated five unreserved (special) trains from New Delhi station to Riyagraj between 2.30 pm and 11.30 pm to increase the congestion for the weekend.
“Indian Railways is constantly trying to provide a convenient travel option for pilgrims going to Maha -Kumbh,” said Mr. Upadhyay.
(Tagstotransmit) Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav (T) New Delhi railway station crowd (T) New Delhi railway station
