SCR launches coordinated plan to manage festival rush at key stations

SCR has intensified security and crowd control at major railway stations ahead of Diwali. Multi-agency teams, holding areas, helpline booths, and late-night bus services have been arranged to ensure safe and smooth travel for festival-bound passengers

Hyderabad: With a sharp rise in festival-bound passenger traffic expected for Diwali festival, the South Central Railway (SCR) has launched a joint action plan in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), local police, traffic police, and TGSRTC to ensure smooth, safe, and secure travel for rail commuters.

Security and crowd management are being intensified at key stations, including Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda, Charlapalli, and Lingampalli, where special checks are being carried out at Foot over Bridges, waiting halls, and circulating areas to prevent overcrowding or stampede-like situations.

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Under the initiative, RPF Secunderabad has rolled out a series of comprehensive measures for effective crowd control and passenger safety. These include queue management systems for heavily crowded trains, deployment of additional RPF, GRP, and home guard personnel at critical points, and creation of four designated holding areas accommodating up to 2,000 passengers to manage peak-hour congestion.

Passenger helpline booths have been set up on Platforms 1 and 10 to provide real-time assistance, while CCTV surveillance and access control have been strengthened across the station. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed entry into the premises.

To enhance commuter convenience, holding areas are equipped with seating, toilets, and electrical facilities, along with large screen displays and multilingual announcements for timely travel information. Platforms will be pre-allocated to avoid last-minute crowding.

The traffic police will enforce no-parking zones and regulate vehicle movement near stations, while TGSRTC will operate late-night bus services from major railway stations to handle the post-arrival rush. Quick Response Teams (QRTs) will remain on standby to respond swiftly to emergencies in coordination with RPF, GRP, and district authorities.

RPF Inspector B S Sarswat stated, “The force remains committed to ensuring the safety, security and convenience of rail passengers during the upcoming festival rush through coordinated, round-the-clock vigilance.”

Festive rush management at railway stations:

• Security and surveillance beefed up

• Crowd management measures intensified

• Queue systems implemented

• Helpline booths on platforms

• Only ticketed passengers allowed

• QRT teams on standby