**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 836, posed in the Lok Sabha, concerning the establishment of Permanent Yatri Suvidha Kendras (YSKs) at major railway stations in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai. It addresses concerns about overcrowding, passenger assistance, and emergency response systems. The response details the measures taken by Indian Railways to handle crowd management and improve passenger facilities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Crowd Handling Measures:**
* Indian Railways implements various measures for crowd handling based on station requirements.
* Holding/waiting areas are created outside stations to limit access and manage passenger surges.
* Other measures include access control for passengers with confirmed tickets, restricted access for those without tickets or with waiting list tickets, sealing unauthorized entry points, ticket checking, wider FOBs with ramps, CCTV cameras, war rooms, and improved announcement systems.
* **YSK Locations in Maharashtra:**
* 76 major stations identified across the country for creating holding/waiting areas include 7 in Maharashtra: Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (Mumbai CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Dadar, Nagpur, Nashik Road, Pune (Central Railway), and Bandra Terminus (Western Railway).
* **Addressing Mumbai's Suburban Traffic:**
* The major traffic over Mumbai area consists of suburban passengers and the requirements are different from non-suburban traffic.
* Elevated decks (holding areas above existing platforms) are under construction at Ghatkopar, Dombivali, GTB Nagar, Govandi, and Neral stations.
* **Station Improvement and Planning:**
* RITES is engaged in Master Planning for crowd control measures at identified railway stations.
* Mumbai CSMT redevelopment includes new FOBs, skywalks, and a spacious concourse.
* Suburban and non-suburban traffic segregation is being implemented at Kalyan station.
* Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) is underway at Thane station.
* **Passenger Information and Assistance:**
* Signages are provided for passenger information.
* Public Announcement Systems are available round the clock, with regular announcements.
* Train indicator boards are installed.
* Public Announcement Systems and information boards are available inside local trains.
* Ambulances are stationed, and information about nearby hospitals is available to provide medical assistance to accident victims.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Passengers will benefit from improved crowd management, better facilities, enhanced accessibility, and improved information systems at railway stations. The new infrastructure, such as FOBs, skywalks, and holding areas, will ease congestion and enhance their overall travel experience.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of new access control measures, utilize available facilities, and follow announcements for information on train schedules and station details.
**Stakeholder: Railway Authorities**
* **Impact:** The document outlines the actions and measures being taken by Indian Railways to address overcrowding and improve passenger facilities.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and monitoring crowd control measures, maintain and upgrade facilities, and ensure effective communication of information to passengers.
**Stakeholder: Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVC)**
* **Impact:** MRVC is responsible for the construction of elevated decks at selected stations.
* **Action Required:** Continue construction work at Ghatkopar, Dombivali, GTB Nagar, Govandi, and Neral stations, ensuring timely completion and adherence to safety standards.
**Stakeholder: RITES**
* **Impact:** RITES is involved in Master Planning for crowd control.
* **Action Required:** Continue to develop and implement crowd control Master Plans for identified railway stations.
Key Entities Referenced
Permanent Yatri Suvidha Kendras (YSKs): Centers to be established at major railway stations to provide passenger amenities and facilitate crowd management, particularly in high-density areas.
Mumbai: The specific location where the establishment and operation of Yatri Suvidha Kendras are being focused, due to chronic overcrowding at stations.
Ministry of Railways: The government ministry responsible for the administration of the Indian Railways and the implementation of schemes like Yatri Suvidha Kendras.
Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS): Scheme aimed at improving the integration of railway stations with road transport to ease traffic and passenger dispersal.
Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Limited (MRVC): Corporation involved in the decongestion and improvement of railway infrastructure in the Mumbai suburban area.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 836
TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026
PERMANENT YATRI SUVIDHA KENDRAS
836. PROF. VARSHA EKNATH GAIKWAD:
SHRI SANJAY DINA PATIL:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Railways has identified major railway stations in
Maharashtra particularly in Mumbai suburban sections for
establishment of Permanent Yatri Suvidha Kendras (YSKs) among the
76 high-density stations selected across the country;
(b) if so, the details in Mumbai and the timelines fixed for commissioning,
station-wise;
(c) whether the Government is aware that several high-footfall stations in
Mumbai continue to face chronic overcrowding, inadequate passenger
assistance, poor signage and weak emergency response systems and if
so, the details thereof;
(d) whether these factors were considered during station selection and if
so, the details thereof;
(e) whether station-specific safety, risk and crowd-flow studies were
conducted prior to approval of YSKs in Mumbai and if so, the details
thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(f) whether the proposed YSKs adequately staffed and equipped with 24×7
facilitation counters, medical and emergency units and real-time
CCTV/AI-based monitoring and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f): Indian Railways take various measures for crowd handling
from time to time based on the requirements of the station. With a
view to handle significant passenger surges at stations,holding/waiting areas are created outside stations to ensure limited
access control whereby passengers are allowed only when the train
comes to the platform. Several other measures for handling large
crowds include other access control measures like direct access to
the platforms for passengers with confirmed reserve tickets only ,
restricting Passengers without a ticket or with a waiting list ticket to
the outside waiting area, sealing of all unauthorized entry points,
ticket checking, wider FOBs with ramps, CCTV cameras, war rooms,
improvement to announcement systems, digital communications etc.
which is a continuous and ongoing exercise.
76 major stations have been identified across the country for
creation of holding/waiting areas which includes 7 railway stations in
Maharashtra namely Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus(
Mumbai CSMT), Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Dadar, Nagpur, Nashik Road
and Pune over Central Railway and Bandra Terminus Station over
Western Railway.
The major traffic over Mumbai area consist of suburban
passengers and the requirements are different from non-suburban
traffic. For decongestion on platforms at major stations, work of
construction of elevated decks (holding areas above existing
platforms) at Ghatkopar, Dombivali, GTB Nagar (Guru Tegh Bahadur
Nagar ), Govandi and Neral stations has been undertaken by Mumbai
Railway Vikas Corporation Limited(MRVC).
RITES has been engaged for carrying out Master Planning for
crowd control measures at identified railway stations.
The redevelopment of Mumbai CSMT station includes improving
passenger flow with new FOBs, skywalks, and a spacious concourse,
enhancing smooth movement of passengers and accessibility for
people and to ease congestion. Segregation of suburban and non
suburban traffic is being done at Kalyan. Station improvement workunder Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme (SATIS) has been
undertaken at Thane station to ensure smooth integration with road
transport for better dispersal of crowds.
Signages have been provided at stations for information of
passengers and smooth passenger movement. Public Announcement
System is available at stations round the clock and regular
announcements are ensured. Train indicators boards are also installed
at all stations to inform passengers of train details which is very
crucial in suburban traffic.
Public Announcement System is also available inside the local
trains to inform passengers about the next station and other important
information pertaining to their travel. In addition to this, suburban
trains have information boards at the front and rear with details of
destination, type of train, number of coaches and location of coach for
Divyangjans. Ambulances have been stationed at major stations and
information of nearby hospitals has been provided at stations to ensure
medical assistance to accident victims within the golden hour.
******