Surat, Gujarat: In a major step towards managing the festive-season rush, Western Railway has introduced a large passenger holding area at Udhna Railway Station in Surat. The facility is designed to accommodate around 15,000 passengers at a time and aims to make travel safer and more organised during Diwali and Chhath Puja.
The holding area was reported as inaugurated on October 16, 2026, ahead of the peak travel period when thousands of passengers from Surat head towards Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha.
Seating, Toilets and Passenger Facilities for Udhna Railway Station
The holding area has been developed to provide passengers with a designated place to wait before proceeding to their trains. Facilities include seating and waiting spaces, toilets, urinals, bathing facilities and drinking water arrangements. The aim is to reduce congestion at station entrances and on platforms, while improving passenger comfort during periods of heavy footfall.
Separate Zones for Ticketing and Waiting
The facility is divided into three zones to help regulate passenger movement:
- Pre-ticketing area: For passenger entry and initial waiting.
- Ticketing area: Equipped with an organised queue-management system.
- Waiting area: For passengers who have purchased tickets and are waiting for their trains.
Around 70 high-definition CCTV cameras, approximately 150 public announcement speakers and digital display screens have also been reported at the facility. A dedicated control room will help officials monitor crowd levels and coordinate arrangements.
Passengers to Be Guided to Platforms in Queues
Under the crowd-management plan, passengers can wait in the designated holding area until their respective trains are ready at the platform. Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP) and ticket-checking staff will guide passengers towards the platforms and coaches in an organised manner.
The arrangement is intended to prevent overcrowding and reduce the risk of dangerous crowding during the festive rush.
Why the Facility Matters for Surat
Udhna is an important departure point for migrant workers and other passengers travelling from Surat to their hometowns during Diwali and Chhath Puja. The new facility is expected to improve waiting arrangements and passenger flow at one of the region’s busiest festive travel points.
Railway authorities are also operating special trains during the festive season to handle additional demand. Passengers should check their train timings, platform information and boarding instructions before leaving for the station.
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