Newssuper.in Report Tania Kundu,Kolkata, 08th September, 2025
In an endeavour to accommodate massive crowd rush during ensuing Durga Puja festival, Railway administration gears up to face the challenge to ensure smooth transportation of commuters during Puja days. A high level emergeny meeting was convened at DRM Conference room at Sealdah to discuss with all branch officers and other officials regarding the arrangements for controlling pandal hoppers during puja days and facilitating them with adequate transportation for visiting Pandals. Various issues were deliberated in the emergency meeting and it has been decided to adequate precautions enumerated hereunder :-
1. All galloping trains will stop at all stations during Puja days, i.e., from 28.09.25 to 02.10.24 in all sections of Sealdah Division. Punctuality of train movement will be monitored critically at the highest level during Puja days.
2. Additional 10 Mobile UTS will be made available at Sealdah Station. All 17 ATVMs will remain functional at Sealdah station and one additional service engineer will be deployed at Sealdah on round the clock basis for ensuring availability. All 21 ticket booking counters will be operational on 24X7 basis to cater to the extra rush during morning and evening shifts. Temporary deployment of additional booking clerks will be made for operating special counters.
3. Car Parking space at Sealdah Station will remain completely closed from 28.09.25 to 02.10.25 for using it as crowd holding area in case of exigency.
4. Trolley movements will not be allowed at Sealdah station during peak hours, i.e., from 5 PM to 7 AM during puja days.
5. Prafulla Dwar at Sealdah Station Platform no 1 will be opening shortly before Durga Puja to facilitate seamless movement of Pandal Hoppers. 4 ticket booking counters and 4 ATVMs will be provided there alongwith facilitators to cater to the huge rush. Apart, 2 Mobile UTS will also be made available at Prafulla Dwar. Commuters entering through this gate can easily board trains approaching towards Main Line (Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Kalyani, Naihati, Barrackpore etc.)
6. For Mail/Express passengers, there will be specific dropping point at Sealdah station to avoid criss cross movement for long distance travellers as designated platforms are 9 & 11-14.
7. DRM/Sealdah has directed immediate removal of all construction materials from all stations across the Division.
8. Frequent special night service trains will ply in between Sealdah – Kalyani and Ballygunge – Sonarpur to disperse crowd.
9. DRM underlined special stress on close inter departmental coordination to work out station specific plans in case of emergency.
10. Extra EMU rake will be stabled at strategic locations to combat crisis situation.
11. Special RPF force will be deployed at all busy level crossing gates like Barasat, Khardah, Ballygunge, Barrackpur, Bangaon, Sonarpur, Baruipur, Ranaghat, Berhampore etc. Such vulnerable Level Crossing gates are pinpointed for monitoring by deploying Volunteers. Security forces will be provided in close coordination with local administration for such Level Crossing gates.
12. Additional “MAY I HELP YOU” Booths will be opened at busy stations like Sealdah, Dumdum Jn., Kolkata etc. Designated helpline numbers will be provided at these booths for facilitating pandal hoppers. A list of important phone numbers including police stations, hospitals, fire brigades etc. will be displayed at such booths so that emergency assistance can be provided in the hour of need.
13. Train indication system and Passenger address system will be specially monitored at all important stations.
14. Uninterrupted potable drinking water supply will be ensured 24X7 at all stations during puja days.
15. Adequate number of Fire extinguishers will be kept at all stations and additional Fire extinguishers are to be kept in readiness for emergency purpose.
16. Medical assistance booths will be provided at key stations like Sealdah, Dumdum, Naihati, Barasat etc. where doctors and paramedical staff will be available for taking care of ailing commuters.
