In a significant step after the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, Indian Railways has added stoppages of several prominent trains reaching the national capital to relieve congestion and improve passenger convenience.
The decision is to decongest the New Delhi Railway Station so that passengers can alight at stations near their homes instead of all passengers alighting at New Delhi. It's likely to give more flexibility and avoid overcrowding, particularly during rush hours.
With this modification, not all will need to alight at the New Delhi railway station since the trains will also halt at other stations in Delhi, such as Hazrat Nizamuddin, Tilak Bridge, and Sabzi Mandi.
A thorough analysis revealed that most of the train movement, both in arrivals and departures at New Delhi Station, takes place between 3 PM and 9 PM, as per a release published by the railway. This hour segment witnesses a huge amount of trains from other cities too, thus boosting platform visitors considerably.
Thus, in order to reduce this crowd, the railways have increased the stoppages of five major trains in Delhi. However, this change currently applies only to arriving trains. Passengers boarding these trains will still need to catch them from New Delhi Railway Station.
- Trains Whose Stops Have Been Increased
- The Swatantrata Senani Express (12561) will now halt at Tilak Bridge.
- Mumbai Duronto Express (22209) will stop at Hazrat Nizamuddin Station.
- The Gomti Express (12419) is also being allotted a stoppage at Tilak Bridge.
- Chandigarh Shatabdi Express (12046) will now stop at Sabzi Mandi Station.
-Also, before arriving at New Delhi Railway Station, the Amb Andaura Vande Bharat Express (22448) will also stop at Sabzi Mandi.
The action will straightaway benefit commuters depending on their location in Delhi. A commuter from South Delhi who has taken the Mumbai Duronto Express can now easily alight at Hazrat Nizamuddin Station rather than travel right to New Delhi Railway Station. Equally, travelers from East Delhi can now easily alight at Tilak Bridge Station, shortening traveling time and enhancing last-mile connectivity.
Detailing further, Northern Railway PRO Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay informed ABP News that rush hour in the evening sees the jam-packed New Delhi Railway Station owing to the entry of many big trains. Also contributing to the problem is traffic blockage on approach routes to the station.
Considering these details, the halt timings of five trains have been increased to smooth the situation.
He also stated that the Railway Board could think of inserting more such stoppages depending on operational feasibility and passenger convenience to enhance overall management.