Indian Railways has stopped the sale of platform tickets at 4 stations, know where this decision will be applicable.
Diwali-Chhath Rush: Ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, Western Railway has taken a major decision. Platform ticket sales will be temporarily suspended at Bandra Terminus, Surat, Vapi, and Udhna stations from October 15th to 31st. Find out who will be exempted and why this decision was taken.
Railway Rules: Every year, during major festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, trains and stations are overcrowded. People travel on long-distance trains to return to their homes, often causing the situation on platforms to spiral out of control. Keeping this increasing crowd in mind, Western Railway has already taken a major precautionary step this time. The Railways has announced that the sale of platform tickets will be temporarily suspended at four major railway stations from October 15 to October 31, 2025.
This decision has been taken to ensure passenger safety and crowd control, to prevent any chaos or accidents on station premises during the festive season.
Which stations will stop selling platform tickets?
The four stations where Western Railway has suspended platform ticket sales include:
Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus
Vapi
Udhna
Surat
According to a statement issued by the Railways, this ban at these stations will be effective from October 15 to October 31, 2025.
Heavy passenger rush expected during the festivals
Western Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Vineet Abhishek said that this step has been taken to manage crowds so that passenger movement is not disrupted and chaos or stampedes on the platforms are avoided.
He said, “During Diwali and Chhath Puja, a large number of people travel to their hometowns. Restricting the sale of platform tickets will only allow genuine passengers to enter and improve security.”
Exemptions for the Needy
The Railways stated that people will be allowed to enter the platforms under certain circumstances. This exemption will be granted only to those who come to assist a passenger, such as: persons assisting senior citizens, accompanying female passengers, persons with disabilities, and helpers of sick or illiterate passengers. In such cases, railway officials will give permission as per the situation, but this facility will remain closed for general passengers.
Last year’s stampede at Bandra station
This move is said to be inspired by an incident that occurred last year. In October 2024, a stampede broke out at Bandra station in Mumbai due to a rush to catch a train, in which nine passengers were injured.
This time, the Railways has taken this decision after planning crowd control in advance to prevent a similar incident. To give top priority to passenger safety during the festivals, the Railways has also deployed additional staff and RPF personnel.
Plan Your Travels in Advance
Western Railway has appealed to passengers to plan their travels in advance, book tickets on time, and visit the station only when necessary. The Railways has advised that crowds at stations increase significantly during festivals, so avoid lingering on platforms unnecessarily and cooperate with railway staff during travel.
Railway Preparations for Security and Order
The Railway administration has made strict security arrangements at all four stations. Additional RPF and GRP personnel have been deployed. Additionally, CCTV cameras and public address systems will be used to monitor crowds on platforms. The railways says that anyone found violating these rules will be prosecuted.
Diwali and Chhath: The Busiest Season of the Year
Every year, during Diwali and Chhath, the number of passengers at railway stations across the country more than doubles compared to normal days. Thousands of people travel to their villages from cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Patna, and Varanasi.
This year, the Railways has also announced special trains for the festivals to facilitate travel. However, this temporary ban on platform tickets is part of a strategy to control crowds.
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