Western Railway bans large-sized passenger luggage across stations

The Western Railway authorities on Wednesday banned plastic drums gunny bags luggage of large dimensions and bulky cargo from being carried in passenger coaches as well as the platforms as these items lead to congestion at stations Special squads and ticketing staff will monitor stations and disallow such bulky luggage onto the platformsThe crowded Jnaneswari Express on TuesdayAn internal note to the ticket checking staff of Western Railway Mumbai division a copy of which is in possession of midday stated ldquoUnauthorised large plastic drums and similar large luggage are not to be permitted inside the station premises and platformsrdquoUnreserved travellers queue up outside the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus LTT station at Kurla to board the Duronto Express PicAshish RajeAll railway stations are witnessing a large influx of passengers due to the festive rush Amidst this It is observed that many passengers carry oversized and bulky luggage which sometimes creates congestion at the station premises obstructs the smooth flow of passengers and poses difficulties in crowd managementAn RPF official intervenes during a fight between passengers on Tuesday PicAshish RajeThe internal note to the Western Railway Mumbai division ticketchecking staff asserts that these oversized items are not to be permitted inside the station premises and platformsA crowded platform at LTT where passengers wait for an outstation train PicAshish RajeldquoThis is to be ensured by all the ticketchecking staff at the entry points of the station All the station and squad incharges should personally monitor that the instructions are followed scrupulously as the matter is being monitored at the highest levelrdquo the note statedScores of passengers kill time before their train arrives in the waiting area of LTT on Tuesday PicAtul KambleA massive crowd carrying large amounts of baggage drums and gunny bags resulted in increased congestion on the platform and eventually to a stampede at Bandra Terminus on Sunday October 27 causing 10 passengers to suffer injuriesAn RPF official guides unreserved passengers of Jnaneswari Express PicAshish RajeIn the days following the stampede Western Railway has been enforcing measures to control crowding and congestion at station platformsAn overcrowded bogey of the Jnaneswari Express at LTT station PicAshish RajeAfter restricting the sale of platform tickets to prevent crowding and creating a holding area for overflowing bona fide passengers Western Railway authorities had on Tuesday also issued temporary restrictions on placing any parcels and consignments on station platforms 12 hours prior to the train departure in order to free up space for passenger movementPassengers queue up to buy unreserved tickets at LTT station PicAshish RajeAn overcrowded bogey of Jnaneswari Express at LTT station PicAtul KambleUnreserved travellers jostle for space in the compartment amid suffocating conditions PicAshish Raje