Yatri Suvidha Kendra brings calm to NDLS festive rush
As the festive season of Diwali and Chhath Puja brings the customary rush of travellers to the Capital, the New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) is witnessing an unusual calm amid the crowd. The difference this time lies in the newly built Yatri Suvidha Kendra — a 6,000-square-metre holding area that has swiftly emerged as a haven for waiting passengers.
Located adjacent to the railway station, the facility can accommodate nearly 7,000 passengers at a time, easing pressure on the overcrowded platforms. Inside, hundreds of travellers rest beside their luggage as loudspeakers announce train departures. Though bustling, the atmosphere remains strikingly orderly.
“It feels comfortable here. Earlier, there used to be so much chaos outside the station during festivals, but this time everything seems better managed,” said Ravi Kumar, a passenger bound for Patna for Chhath Puja.
Spread across three zones—pre-ticketing, ticketing, and departure—the Yatri Suvidha Kendra offers comfort and convenience, all free of cost. The ticketing section features 22 modern counters and 25 Automatic Ticket Vending Machines, significantly reducing the long queues typical of festive travel. Around 200 passengers can be seated here, while 18 large fans ensure steady ventilation.
Cleanliness and passenger comfort have been given priority, with spacious sanitation blocks, RO-based drinking water, and a well-audible public information system. “We used to wait outside in the heat and confusion, but now we can sit comfortably without worrying about missing any announcements,” said Poonam Devi, waiting with her family for a train to Varanasi.
Safety has also been emphasised, with fire-fighting units, CCTV cameras, luggage scanners, and metal detectors installed across the premises. “The centre has been developed keeping in mind the massive festive crowd. The purpose is safety, convenience, and smooth passenger management,” said a Railway official.
With its modern infrastructure and well-planned design, the Yatri Suvidha Kendra has redefined passenger experience at India’s busiest railway hub, ensuring comfort and order even during peak festive travel.
Meanwhile, ahead of the Chhath Puja travel surge, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw inspected the station on Tuesday evening.
He said that 12 lakh railway employees are working round the clock to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely. “So far, over one crore passengers have travelled on 12,000 special trains,” the minister added.
Delhi