Diwali-Chhath rush: Platform ticket sales suspended in Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat; check dates and stations

With Diwali and Chhath travel adding to the rush at railway stations, Indian Railways has temporarily suspended or restricted the sale of platform tickets at several busy stations in Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat to prevent overcrowding.

Western Railway has suspended platform ticket sales at Bandra Terminus, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, Surat and Bhestan from November 1 to November 15.

Central Railway has imposed similar restrictions at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Dadar, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Thane and Kalyan from November 5 to November 15.

“Platform tickets will be issued to senior citizens, ailing passengers, children, and lady passengers who require assistance, as per Railway Board guidelines,” Central Railway said.

In Delhi and its adjoining areas, Northern Railway has stopped issuing platform tickets at New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Ghaziabad, Anand Vihar Terminal and Anand Vihar Halt from November 3 to November 14.

The zone has allowed exemptions for people accompanying elderly, sick, specially abled and illiterate passengers, as well as women passengers who require assistance, its Chief Public Relations Officer Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay said.

Northern Railway has also restricted the booking and movement of all categories of parcels at New Delhi, Delhi Junction, Anand Vihar Terminal, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Ludhiana Junction from November 5 to November 8 as part of security arrangements for the festive season.

The curbs come as railway stations brace for increased footfall amid large numbers of people travelling to their hometowns for Diwali and Chhath Puja.

Railways have asked passengers to avoid visiting platforms unless necessary and cooperate with staff in managing the rush.