Passenger holding areas will soon be developed at 76 railway stations across the country to enhance passenger comfort and convenience. This initiative aims to improve the waiting experience for travellers, reduce platform congestion, and provide better amenities for passengers in transit. Moreover, with increasing rail traffic and rising expectations for cleaner, more organised stations, these new passenger zones mark a step toward modernising India’s railway network.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has given the green light to a project to establish 76 passenger holding areas at railway stations nationwide. This scheme will effectively control the excessive crowd on festive occasions like Diwali and Chhath. The Union Minister enthusiastically announced that all holding areas must be ready long before the exciting 2026 festival season!
The success of the passenger holding area at New Delhi Railway Station inspired this positive decision. The New Delhi Railway Station effectively managed the heavy influx of passengers during Diwali and Chhath thanks to its newly completed Yatri Suvidha Kendra, which accommodates over 7,000 individuals and features dedicated zones for ticketing (pre- and post-ticketing) and amenities such as 150 toilets, ticket counters, and free RO water facilities.
The good news is that Kota railway station, along with Bhopal and Jabalpur stations, is included in this project under the West Central Railway. Senior DCM of Kota Railway Division, Saurabh Jain, said that the passenger holding areas will be prepared in a modular design. Moreover, they will be constructed keeping in mind the local conditions of each station.
What Are Passenger Holding Areas?
Passenger holding areas are designated spaces within railway stations where travellers can comfortably wait before the arrival or departure of their trains. These areas are designed to reduce overcrowding on platforms and provide essential facilities such as seating arrangements, charging points, clean washrooms, food counters, and information displays.
By introducing these holding zones, the Indian Railways aims to create a smoother, more organised flow of passengers—especially during peak travel hours or festival seasons when stations tend to get overcrowded.
Purpose Behind Developing Passenger Holding Areas
The primary objective of developing Passenger holding areas is to manage passenger movement efficiently. Many busy stations face challenges due to the sheer volume of travellers waiting on platforms. The new holding zones will allow passengers to wait in a comfortable, air-cooled environment until their train arrives.
This will not only enhance the travel experience but also help maintain safety and hygiene standards. The initiative also reflects the Railways’ focus on passenger-centric infrastructure development, aligning with its broader modernisation goals.
Stations Identified for Passenger Holding Area Development
The plan covers 76 major and medium-sized stations across various zones of Indian Railways. Basically, these stations have been selected based on footfall, connectivity, and regional importance. Stations in metropolitan cities, as well as key junctions in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, are expected to benefit.
The development work will include not just the construction of Passenger holding areas but also improvements in lighting, seating, security, and digital information systems to ensure a pleasant and safe experience for travellers.
List of Stations where Passenger holding areas will be developed
| S. No | Zone | No. of Stations | Railway Stations |
| 1 | Central | 6 | Mumbai CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus, Nagpur, Nashik Road, Pune and Dadar. |
| 2 | Eastern | 5 | Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol, Bhagalpur and Jasidih. |
| 3 | East Central | 6 | Patna, Danapur, Muzaffarpur, Gaya, Darbhanga and Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyay. |
| 4 | East Coast | 3 | Bhubaneshwar, Visakhapatnam and Puri. |
| 5 | Northern | 12 | New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal, Hazrat Nizamuddin, Delhi, Ghaziabad, Jammu Tawi, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Ludhiana, Lucknow (NR), Varanasi, Ayodhya Dham and Haridwar. |
| 6 | North Central | 4 | Kanpur, Virangana Lakshmi Bai Jhansi, Mathura and Agra Cantt. |
| 7 | North Eastern | 4 | Gorakhpur, Banaras, Chhapra and Lucknow Jn. (NER) |
| 8 | Northeast Frontier | 2 | Guwahati and Katihar. |
| 9 | North Western | 5 | Jaipur, Gandhi Nagar- Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Ringus. |
| 10 | Southern | 4 | M G R Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Coimbatore Jn. and Ernakulam Jn. |
| 11 | South Central | 6 | Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Guntur, Kacheguda and Rajahmundry. |
| 12 | South Eastern | 3 | Ranchi, Tata and Shalimar. |
| 13 | Southeast Central | 1 | Raipur |
| 14 | South Western | 4 | SMVT Bengaluru, Yesvantpur, Mysuru and Krishnarajapuram. |
| 15 | Western | 8 | Mumbai Central, Bandra Terminus, Udhna, Surat, Ahmedabad, Ujjain, Vadodara and Sehore. |
| 16 | West Central | 3 | Bhopal, Jabalpur and Kota |
Benefits of Passenger Holding Areas
The introduction of Passenger holding areas brings several benefits for travellers and railway operations alike:
- Reduced Platform Congestion: With dedicated waiting zones, platforms remain clear and safer.
- Enhanced Passenger Comfort: Comfortable seating, fans, and clean restrooms make waiting more pleasant.
- Improved Station Management: Controlled passenger flow helps staff manage crowds better.
- Safety and Cleanliness: Organised waiting areas reduce littering and ensure better crowd control.
- Smart Infrastructure: Many of these areas will be equipped with digital display boards and CCTV monitoring.
A Step Toward Modern Railway Experience
The development of Passenger holding areas is part of the larger vision to provide a world-class travel experience to Indian rail passengers. Moreover, it supports the government’s ongoing efforts to transform railway stations into modern, passenger-friendly hubs equipped with smart technology and upgraded amenities.
This initiative not only showcases India’s commitment to improving transportation infrastructure but also ensures that travellers—whether daily commuters or long-distance passengers—enjoy a more comfortable, organised, and stress-free journey.
Conclusion
The plan to build Passenger holding areas at 76 stations nationwide marks a significant improvement in India’s railway infrastructure. By prioritising passenger convenience, safety, and comfort, this initiative strengthens the overall quality of public transport in the country. Furthermore, as these developments take shape, passengers can look forward to a new era of modern, well-managed railway stations across India.
Well, It’s About Time. Good Job..