During Chhath Mahaparv, many steps have been taken by East Central Railway including crowd management for the convenience of passengers coming/departing from different stations of the country in ECR jurisdiction. In this sequence, special trains are being operated between different stations of ECR from New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Secunderabad, Pune etc. In such a situation, in view of the extra rush of passengers, railway security forces are keeping constant vigil at the stations so that there is no lapse in passenger safety. Taking extra vigil, Railway Protection Force along with Dog Squad has been deployed at some stations.
Keeping in view the extra rush of passengers, a holding area has been created for the passengers at major stations as well as continuous announcements are being made at the stations so that the information about the movement of the train can be easily available. Mega mic is also being used for this. In order to check anti-social elements and crowd control, in view of passenger safety, round the clock surveillance is being done by Railway Protection Forces at the main stations through CCTV cameras. Also, to help the passengers, “May I Help You” help booths are working round the clock at all the major stations where senior staff of the concerned department are on continuous duty with necessary information. Also medical aid booths have been set up for medical help. Platforms will not be changed at the last minute. Helpline numbers at major stations have been issued . To ensure that there is no problem in getting travel tickets, additional ticket counters have been opened at major stations and provision has been made for additional facilitators for ATVMs.
Trains are being monitored to avoid incidents of intoxication and special vigilance is being taken to control such cases. In this sequence, to bring awareness among the passengers, through print/electronic media, social media, street plays etc, it is being motivated to avoid drug abuse gangs and ticket brokers, to get tickets from railway counters/authorized agents only. In order to check ticket touts, CCTV cameras have also been installed in the reservation offices of many stations so that direct vigil can be kept on the ticket brokers.
The Intelligence Units of the Railway Protection Force have been specially activated to collect all possible intelligence from various sources. Continuous close coordination is being maintained with the Government Railway Police/Local Police Central/State Intelligence Departments. A team of additional women constables of RPF "Meri Saheli" has been deployed on trains and major stations for the safety and help of women passengers.
Adequate security forces have been deployed at stations and in trains with special focus on foot over bridges/platforms and circulating areas. Apart from Railway Protection Force/Police Administration, railway personnel have also been deployed for the normal movement of passengers. Arrangements are being made by the security forces to board the normal bogies of overcrowded trains in a queued manner so that there is no jostling while boarding the normal bogies of long distance trains.