CR Boosts Services After Bandra Terminus Stampede Incident

In response to a recent stampede incident at Bandra Terminus that left nine people injured, Central Railway has announced an additional pair of unreserved festival special trains to manage the anticipated Diwali and Chhath Puja travel rush. The special trains will operate between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai and Gorakhpur, where demand for travel has seen a significant increase during the festival season.

Service Added for Diwali and Chhath Puja

Central Railway has now scheduled a total of 583 special services for the Diwali and Chhath Puja season. The newly added service, train number 01019, is set to depart from CSMT Mumbai at 2:30 pm on October 28 and arrive in Gorakhpur by 11 pm the next day. This service will operate only once, helping to ease the burden on regular services during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Halt on Platform Ticket Sales

In light of the stampede and the expected influx of passengers, Central Railway has temporarily suspended the sale of platform tickets at several major stations. These include Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane, Kalyan, Pune, and Nagpur. Railway authorities stated that this measure aims to control platform crowding, ensuring smoother operations and enhanced safety during the festive season. The restrictions took effect immediately and will last until November 8, 2024, covering the peak Diwali and Chhath Puja period. Senior citizens and individuals with medical needs will be exempted from this restriction to ensure accessible travel. Railway officials have also urged passengers to plan their journeys accordingly and adhere to the new guidelines for a safe and smooth travel experience during the holidays.

Restrictions at Key Stations

In a similar move, Western Railway’s Mumbai Central division has temporarily stopped the sale of platform tickets at nine key stations, including Mumbai Central, Dadar, Bandra Terminus, Borivali, Vasai, Vapi, Valsad, Udhana, and Surat. These restrictions are effective immediately and will continue through the end of the festive season, as the Western Railway anticipates similar high volumes of passengers and aims to ensure safe crowd management at these stations.