Railways prepare action plan to tackle Holi rush

New Delhi: Northern Railway has geared up to tackle the upcoming Holi and summer rush, rolling out an action plan for smooth functioning of reservation counters, complaint free passenger amenities and to check malpractices.

A special train for Darbhanga to clear extra rush during Holi festival would be pressed into service on March 11.

The Anand Vihar – Darbhanga special train will depart from Anand Vihar station at 9.20 AM on March 11 to reach Darbhanga at 8.30 AM the next day.

Comprising 16 general class and two second class-cum- luggage van coaches, the Anand Vihar – Darbhanga Holi special train will stop at Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Bareilly, Lucknow, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Chhapra Hajipur, Muzzafarpur and Samastipur stations en route.

In order to ensure smooth functioning, the train enquiry and announcement system will be monitored during festival period and PRS system updated on all train running positions, according to a Northern Railway official.

It is being ensured that all booking and enquiry counters are manned during peak hours and additional counters for reservations would be opened at locations wherever it is necessary for the convenience of passengers.

All efforts would be made to provide better and improved passenger amenities like cleanliness at stations and in trains, adequate drinking water, illuminated signages and clean and proper waiting halls.

Sufficient number of scouts & guides and volunteers of civil defence will remain available in addition to security personnel at the railway stations. They will also manage the crowd of passengers at the platform and foot-overbridges.

For the convenience of senior citizens, adequate number of wheelchairs in workable condition will be available.

Officers have been deputed at the major terminals such as Anand Vihar, New Delhi, Sarai Rohilla, Old Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin stations for smooth crowd management.

—PTI