Security preparations in the national capital are being significantly stepped up ahead of the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. As a protective measure, Northern Railway has announced a total suspension of parcel booking and handling operations across five primary railway hubs in the Delhi region from August 12 to August 15. The operational freeze is intended to keep station premises secure and remove safety vulnerabilities during this high-vigilance period.
Railway Administration Issues Strict Compliance Order
Following directions from Northern Railway, the North Western Railway zone issued instructions to all its operational divisions to ensure comprehensive compliance with the restrictions. Senior DCM of the Jodhpur Division, Hitesh Yadav, stated that parcel operations at key terminals in the national capital will remain completely shut down throughout the four-day window to facilitate seamless security checks.
Five Key Rail Terminals Affected by the Ban
The temporary suspension will directly impact five major railway hubs across the city. These locations are New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Delhi Sarai Rohilla. Between August 12 and August 15, no incoming or outgoing commercial parcel cargo will be booked, unloaded, or handled at any of these stations.
Restrictions on Leased Wagons and Platform Clearances
Under the security protocol, all forms of parcel transport, including leased Seating cum Luggage Rakes (SLR), Parcel Vans (VP), and demand VPs, will remain off-limits. Railway officials have also been instructed to keep all parcel storage godowns and platform areas entirely free of cargo packages, cardboard boxes, and packing materials. This measure ensures clear spaces for security personnel to conduct thorough monitoring.
Guidelines for Passenger Luggage and Newspaper Shipments
Passengers traveling through Delhi during these dates will still be allowed to carry their personal luggage inside passenger coaches. However, booking baggage into separate parcel vans will not be permitted. A specific exemption applies to registered newspapers and magazines, which can still be booked and transported once mandatory commercial formalities and security clearances are met. This rule applies to trains originating in Delhi as well as long-distance trains from other zones that stop at these stations for cargo operations.
