In a major boost to passenger comfort and crowd management, the Ministry of Railways has approved the creation of passenger holding areas at 76 railway stations across India. The move follows the success of a similar facility at New Delhi Railway Station, which helped manage the festive rush during Diwali and Chhath this year.

Mumbai features prominently in the expansion plan, with five key stations — CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Dadar, Mumbai Central, and Bandra Terminus — selected for upgrades under the project. Announcing the initiative, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the new holding areas would feature modular designs customised to local station layouts. “These zones will provide passengers with safe, comfortable spaces to wait during peak travel hours and festive seasons. The modular design will improve crowd flow, safety, and the overall travel experience,” the minister said.