Agencies
Jammu Tawi: Shobhan Chaudhuri, General Manager Northern Railway, reviewed the Holi Rush arrangement being made by Northern Railway to clear extra rush of passengers during the ensuing Holi Festival in a meeting held at Northern Railways Headquarters Office, Baroda House, New Delhi today. Principal Heads of the Department of Northern Railway were also present on the occasion to discuss various arrangements being done by Northern Railway during Holi Festival.
Speaking on the occasion General Manager, Northern Railway said that this year, 354 trips of 75 pairs trains have been notified by Railways which is 179 more than the last year. In these 354 trips, 243 trips are running in the East direction while 111 trips are running in other directions. Moreover, 282 trips are reserved while 72 trips are unreserved. 39 rakes of existing trains have already been augmented with 842 coach trips during the Holi Festival period to meet the demand. About 5,00,000 additional berths are generated. General Manager, Northern Railway instructed all the officers to monitor the Holi Rush arrangement being done for passengers and ensure timely running of special trains to various destinations from Delhi area to East and other parts of India.
“Passenger holding area” has been formed at Ajmeri Gate New Delhi and at Anand Vihar Terminal Railway stations for keeping the crowd in circulating area during pre-departure waiting area in order to minimize the rush at platforms with facilities of covered tent, lighting, fans, water booth, portable toilet blocks, food stalls, PA System, Booking Counters etc.
Trains enquiry system and announcement system is being monitored during festival period and PRS system updated o n all Special train positions. Regular and frequent announcements about introduction of special trains, augmentation etc would be made for the information of users.
It is being ensured that all Booking and Enquiry counters are being manned during the peak hours. Additional Counters for reservations would be opened at the locations wherever it is necessary for the convenience of passengers. Additional booking counters as per need will be opened.
Team of Commercial/Vigilance Inspectors and RPF/Police staff have been deputed at reservation offices for keeping surveillance over the activities of touts and anti-social elements.
All efforts would be made to provide better and improved passenger amenities like cleanliness at stations and in trains, adequate drinking water, illuminated signages and clean and proper waiting halls etc.
For the convenience of the rail passengers and to clear extra rush of passengers during Holi Festival , various Holi Special trains have been announced to run from Anand Vihar Terminal to Patna, Gaya, Lucknow, Kamakhaya, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, New Delhi to Varanasi & Barauni, Bathinda-Varanasi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Varanasi/Lucknow, Hazrat Nizamuddin-Lucknow/Pune, Saharanpur-Ambala/ Chandigarh, New Delhi -Gorakhpur besides MEMU Holi Special trains.
