Holi 2025: Only those with confirmed tickets will be allowed on WR platforms

The outstation train terminus on Mumbairsquos Western Railway WR division on Tuesday became accesscontrolled having entry exits of only confirmed ticket passengers and expanding the already existing holding areas following a new directive on crowdcontrol to cater to the Holi 2025 rush A crowdcontrol war room has also been setup to monitor the movement of passengersApart from not allowing waitlisted passengers it is also being ensured that general class passengers are only allowed inside if their train is within two hours of departure else they are made to wait in the holding areaWhen midday visited Bandra Terminus ticket checkers were manning every official entry point of the station and allowing passengers on the platform only after they checked tickets and restricting those who did not have tickets into holding areas WR Mumbai already has such specially created holding areasAt a highlevel meeting on Friday headed by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on crowdcontrol at stations a number of key decisions were taken including the creation of permanent waiting areas outside stations at 60 stations across the country that periodically face heavy crowdsMumbairsquos WR division has also formed a war room and detailed guidelines on how to go about this fixing responsibilities on departments with field staff from the commercial department RPF operations electrical power signalling and telecom engineering and medical at the stationsldquoThere is additional staff to be deployed at critical points such as ticket counters entryexit gates platforms waiting rooms and foot over bridges FOBs in all the shifts with revised duty rosters increased patrolling and clear signagerdquo said an officialHolding areasOfficials said directives have been given for creating additional holding areas to control incoming crowds if heavy rush is expected at the stations This holding area is to have sitting arrangements light a fan an announcement system and drinking water facilities Ticket windows must be near to the holding area if space is not available any temporary options like porta cabins or ATVMs must be exploredWR already has holding areas at Bandra Terminus and other stations created a few months backThe medical department has been kept on alert with emergency response teams on standby with sufficient numbers of wheelchairs and stretchersRestricted entryTrainspecific passengers will be allowed inside the station with proper queuing and flow regulated by ticketchecking staff at every entry point Only bona fide passengers with valid tickets will be allowed to enter the station Ticket sales are also being monitored on an hourly basis If ticket sales are higher than usual booking clerks will raise an alarm to higher authoritiesHoli 2025 guidelines Only passengers with confirmed tickets will be allowed on platforms Fully waitlisted entry restricted General ticket passengers will be allowed two hours before departure of their train