Overview
- The Railway Ministry approved permanent holding areas at 76 major stations across all zones, with Northern Railway allocated the most sites at 12.
- The minister directed completion before the 2026 festive season, moving projects into planning and early implementation at zonal level.
- The facilities will follow modular, locally adaptable designs with seating, toilets, “May I Help You” booths, ticket scan counters, medical and enquiry desks, drinking water and train displays.
- New Delhi’s Yatri Suvidha Kendra, built in four months, can host about 7,000 passengers and includes 150 toilets, ticket counters, ATVMs and free RO water, and it eased Diwali and Chhath rushes.
- The expansion follows a February 2025 stampede at New Delhi station; during recent festivals Railways also ran 7,800 extra trains and used networked war rooms for real-time crowd management.