Parliament was informed that Indian Railways had spent more than ₹34,000 crore on passenger amenities over the past three fiscal years, mainly to improve crowd control and the travel experience.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that the allocations were ₹9,392 crore in FY24, ₹12,884 crore in FY25, and ₹12,018 crore in FY26.
The government is constructing passenger holding rooms at 76 stations with heavy foot traffic in an effort to alleviate congestion; 23 of these facilities are now under construction in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.
In the run-up to the holiday season, renovations are progressing at a rapid pace at several important stations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bandra Terminus, Bhopal Junction, Lucknow Junction, and Varanasi Junction.
To enhance real-time crowd management and ticketing control, the railways are also using digital communication systems, AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, and centralised war-room monitoring.
A state-of-the-art holding area has been inaugurated at New Delhi Railway Station. It boasts upgraded amenities like automated ticket vending machines, surveillance systems, electronic information boards, luggage scanners, better lighting, RO water facilities, and dedicated sanitation infrastructure, among others.
Only those with confirmed tickets will be able to enter the platforms, and those without will be sent to designated waiting areas outside, according to new entrance protocols implemented by the ministry.
Stations are also installing standardised broad foot over-bridges (6m and 12m) to make it easier for passengers to traverse and safer for everyone.
Efforts to upgrade infrastructure, decrease congestion, and provide a safer and more efficient travel experience are being made by Indian Railways through this project.
