New Delhi, Oct 24: The government is strengthening railway security and crowd-management measures ahead of Diwali, Chhath Puja and other major festivals, with a focus on ensuring safe passenger movement at busy stations and along crowded train routes.
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The issue was discussed at the 8th All India Conference of Government Railway Police (GRP) Chiefs, convened by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). The meeting brought together railway security officials and representatives from states and Union Territories to review emerging challenges, share best practices and improve coordination among the RPF, GRP and state police forces.
According to the Ministry of Railways, discussions focused on advance planning, surveillance, passenger-flow management and the coordinated deployment of security personnel during peak travel periods.
Coordinated Crowd Management at Busy Stations
Northern Railway’s Delhi Division presented its arrangements for managing festival crowds through coordination with Delhi Police, GRP and Delhi Metro authorities.
The measures include CCTV surveillance, public announcement systems, barricading, designated holding areas and dedicated control rooms to monitor passenger movement and respond to emerging situations.
Officials stressed that advance preparation and effective coordination are essential to prevent congestion and maintain orderly movement at stations during periods of heavy passenger traffic.
RailMadad Platform to Strengthen Passenger Grievance Redressal
A key development discussed at the conference was the onboarding of GRP personnel onto the RailMadad platform by the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS).
The integration is intended to improve the handling of passenger complaints, facilitate timely information sharing and strengthen complaint monitoring. It is expected to help railway security personnel respond more efficiently to passenger concerns.
The conference was presided over by RPF Director General Sonali Mishra and attended by Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, Railway Board members and GRP chiefs from across the country.
Women-Led Security Model Showcased
South Central Railway’s initiative, “Pink Patrol: Eyes in the Sky, SHAKTI on the Ground,” was highlighted as an example of technology-supported railway security.
The model combines drone-assisted surveillance with rapid-response teams operating under the SHAKTI framework. The initiative demonstrates how aerial monitoring and ground-level intervention can work together to strengthen security.
Such approaches are aimed at improving surveillance and enabling quicker responses to incidents, particularly in areas requiring closer monitoring.
Stone-Pelting on Trains Remains a Major Concern
Stone-pelting on trains was another key issue discussed at the meeting. Officials emphasised hotspot-based patrolling, improved surveillance, strict action against offenders and stronger coordination between the RPF and GRP.
The conference also underlined the importance of community awareness and preventive engagement, particularly among young people, to discourage dangerous behaviour that can injure passengers and railway staff.
Project DISHA Focuses on Railway Safety Awareness
Central Railway’s Pune Division presented Project DISHA, or Dedicated Initiative for Safety, Harmony and Awareness, which seeks to engage children living near railway tracks through educational and recreational activities.
The initiative includes safety-awareness sessions and community-based interventions designed to discourage stone-pelting, theft, trespassing and other unsafe activities around railway infrastructure.
Partnerships with non-governmental organisations, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers and local communities are central to the programme. The approach aims to promote responsible behaviour and build awareness of the dangers associated with railway tracks.
Focus on Safer Festival Journeys
With Diwali and Chhath expected to bring heavy passenger traffic, railway authorities are prioritising security planning, surveillance and coordination among agencies responsible for passenger safety.
The conference provided a platform to review existing practices and identify ways to respond more effectively to crowd-related risks and other security challenges.
The overall objective is to ensure that passengers can travel safely during the festive rush through better preparation, faster grievance redressal, stronger field-level coordination and greater public awareness.
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