Railway authorities have rolled out strict crowd-control measures across the National Capital Region to handle the massive influx of passengers heading home for the festival season. With rail premises witnessing tremendous footfall for Diwali and Chhath celebrations, the issuance of platform tickets has been temporarily suspended across six key rail hubs in Delhi and neighbouring Ghaziabad. This preventive restriction remains active until November 14, 2026, aimed squarely at keeping platform corridors clear of non-travelling crowds. Alongside this measure, commercial parcel booking as well as goods loading and unloading activities have been restricted across four high-density rail stations.
Locations Affected by the Platform Ticket Suspension
According to Northern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, platform tickets will not be sold to general visitors between November 3 and November 14, 2026, at six designated stations. The locations under this restriction include New Delhi Railway Station, Delhi Junction, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. The directive also applies to Ghaziabad Railway Station, Anand Vihar Terminal, and Anand Vihar Halt. Large gatherings of well-wishers and attendants during festival peaks often overwhelm circulating areas, making boarding difficult for legitimate ticket holders; halting platform tickets is designed to ease that congestion.
Exceptions Carved Out for Passengers Requiring Assistance
While access for casual visitors has been blocked, railway authorities have introduced clear dispensations for vulnerable travellers requiring physical help. Family members or attendants accompanying senior citizens, ailing individuals, persons with disabilities, and illiterate passengers will be granted station access based on genuine necessity. A similar allowance applies to escorts accompanying women travellers who require aid with small children or luggage during boarding. These provisions ensure that the restriction minimizes overcrowding without depriving needy individuals of essential family support on crowded platforms.
Parcel Shipments and Cargo Handling Halted at Four Key Hubs
To avoid clutter and safety hazards created by stacked commercial cartons on passenger platforms, temporary curbs have been placed on cargo movements across four prominent hubs. Commercial parcel intake, along with the loading and offloading of consignments, remains restricted at New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Delhi Junction, and Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station. Authorities have specified distinct restriction schedules for each of these four stations, ensuring that platform pathways remain open for smooth passenger transit throughout the heavy holiday schedule.
Personal Luggage Only Allowed Inside Passenger Coaches
Under the issued guidelines, commuters are permitted to bring only their genuine personal baggage inside passenger compartments during this restriction timeframe. Commercial commodities cannot be hauled as carriage goods. However, an exception has been carved out for registered daily newspapers and periodicals, which may still be booked provided all public safety protocols are rigorously satisfied. This coordinated administrative push is tailored to maintain orderly passenger movement and avert safety risks during the festive travel peak.
