74 Trains from (LTT)LOKMANYATILAK T to (CHM)Chalthan

WR TAKES VARIOUS CROWD MANAGEMENT MEASURES AT UDHNA & SURAT STATIONS IN VIEW OF o­nGOING FESTIVE SEASON RUSH

Additional deployment of RPF staff to streamline the movement of passengers

Railway officials deployed round the clock to monitor the situation and

for crowd management

In view of the festive season rush at Udhna & Surat railway stations and to regulate the number of passengers at railway premises including Platforms & FOBs, Western Railway has taken several precautionary measures and various elaborate arrangements have been made for proper implementation of crowd management at the station.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, inorder to monitor & control crowd, maximum deployment of staff has been ensured at major stations. Additional booking windows were opened at Surat, Udhna and Chalthan in view of additional load and Holi festival in alternate trains. At Surat station, total 36 shifts are being operated which includes additional 6 shifts while at Udhna total 14 shifts are being operated which includes additional 8 shifts. Around 140 additional RPF personnel have been deployed at Surat & Udhna stations, especially at the entry / exit points & FOBs to regulate the crowd. Besides, special surveillance is being undertaken through CCTV which helps to identify the places which are more overcrowded. Regular announcements are being made at railway stations informing about the running of trains, their arrival / departure status & the coach position of unreserved coaches. Help Desks and Enquiry counters were opened at major stations and are working round the clock for the convenience of passengers. Also, Railway Officers have been deputed to monitor the situation & for crowd management at Surat, Udhna, Chalthan stations. Porter and catering arrangements were made to meet demands of passengers at these stations.

Regular SMSes are sent to passengers to keep them updated regarding running position of the train as well as their reservation status. In view of the recent cancellation, diversion & short termination of trains due to the work of Non – Interlocking (NI) at Udhna Yard, SMS messages were sent to all passengers informing the same. This will help to passengers to plan accordingly and deter additional people entering into railway premises. Additional windows are being operated to process refund to the passengers. The information regarding the affected trains were disseminated through print, electronic as well as social media. Also, huge banners have been installed at various places o­n the station displaying details of cancelled/ short terminated and diverted trains.

It is further informed that the running of extra special trains are being monitored at divisional & headquarter levels by senior officers. Likewise, the waiting list of trains are monitored daily o­n real time basis and additional coaches are augmented in the existing trains from time to time to clear the extra rush. Similarly, Special trains will also be planned accordingly.

Western Railway appeals all its valued passengers to avoid overcrowding at the stations and o­nly the bonafide passengers to enter station premises as per the train timings.

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