Jaipur: The North Western Railway (NWR) has announced measures to ease passenger travel during the summer vacation, including the operation of holiday special trains and the addition of extra coaches to long-distance services, on Tuesday.

Amit Sudarshan, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Western Railway, said, “Passenger load on the railway is very high during the summer vacation, due to which passengers sometimes do not get confirmed reservation tickets.”

He added, “In such a situation, North Western Railway is operating holiday special trains until 15 July and has added coaches to most long-distance trains. Additionally, the frequency of trains has also been increased.”

Railway authorities stated that these initiatives aim to ensure smoother travel and reduce inconvenience for passengers during the peak summer period.

Enhanced passenger facilities at major stations

Beyond extra trains and coaches, NWR is upgrading passenger facilities at major stations. Dedicated holding areas equipped with modern amenities are being established to improve comfort and manage congestion.

Earlier this week, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, confirmed that 76 stations across India will have these enhanced holding zones. The facilities are designed to decongest platforms and provide passengers with organised, comfortable spaces.

Modern amenities for convenience and safety

The holding areas will include seating, drinking water, toilets, ticketing facilities, electronic information displays, and security checks to handle peak-hour footfall.

A model holding area at New Delhi Railway Station has already been inaugurated, providing additional ticket counters, Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs), Public Address Systems (PAS), and electronic train information boards.

For passenger safety, the facilities are equipped with CCTV surveillance, luggage scanners, door-frame metal detectors, uninterrupted power supply, improved lighting, High Volume Low Speed (HVLS) fans, and fire-fighting systems. Amenities also include RO drinking water and separate toilets for men, women, and Divyangjans.

ANI inputs