With Diwali 2025, festive season approaching, the Mumbai Central Division of Western Railway on Friday announced a series of crowd management and passenger-friendly measures to ensure smooth travel during the anticipated surge in passenger numbers, an official statement said.
Key suburban and mainline stations including Mumbai Central (MMCT), Bandra Terminus (BDTS), Borivali (BVI), Vapi, Valsad (BL), Udhna (UDN), and Surat (ST) will implement these arrangements to handle increased footfall.
The aim is to make train journeys safe, organised, and efficient for passengers travelling during Diwali, Chhath Puja, and other seasonal holidays.
Station-wise measures:
Bandra Terminus (BDTS): Two covered holding areas (one 211.2 sqm, another under construction – 826.2 sqm). Fans, lighting, water, toilets, seating, and announcement systems, 4 extra ticket counters in the holding area during Antyodaya Express departures, 20 additional ticket checking staff and RPF deployed.
Vapi: Holding area of 112.05 sqm near footbridge. Facilities include fans, lights, seating, toilets, and drinking water. One extra ticket counter, with 20 ticket checking staff and RPF on duty.
Udhna (UDN): Three covered holding areas, including a large 1,113 sqm space under construction, full passenger amenities: fans, lights, seating, water, toilets, and announcements, 8 extra ticketing counters to ease rush, 20 extra ticket checking staff and RPF personnel for support.
Surat (ST): Two holding areas (896 sqm on the west side and 315 sqm on the east, with a capacity of 250 people), standard facilities like fans, water, seating, toilets, and announcements, 4 extra ticket counters and 20 extra ticket checking staff and RPF.
“Western Railway have assured passengers that these temporary measures, including additional counters, holding areas, and increased staff deployment, are designed to reduce congestion and improve the overall passenger experience during the high-traffic festive period. Passengers are also encouraged to use digital ticketing options where possible to avoid long queues,” the official statement said.
