Asansol Division ensures safe travel during festive season
The Statesman | 24 October 2025A press conference by the Asansol Division of Eastern Railway, was held on 22 October at the office of the divisional railway manager, Asansol. Vinita Srivastava, divisional railway manager, Asansol; Pravin Kumar Prem, additional divisional railway manager; and senior branch officers were present during the briefing. The session highlighted the initiatives undertaken by Asansol Division during the festive season to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel for passengers. Key focus areas included passenger assistance, security, medical readiness, and operational supervision at major stations.
This year, Indian Railways has operated a record 12,000 Festival Special Trains, marking a 55 per cent increase over last year’s 7,724 specials — a reflection of enhanced capacity and growing public trust. Across Asansol Division, 42 pairs of special trains have been operated during the Diwali and Chhath season (6 originating and 36 passing), compared to 23 pairs last year, registering an increase of about 82.6 per cent.
Between 1 and 20 October 2025, major stations under Asansol Division recorded the following passenger footfall:
•Asansol Junction (ASN) – 13,40,646 passengers
• Durgapur (DGR) – 8,16,228 passengers
• Jasidih Junction (JSME) – 6,98,903 passengers
• Madhupur (MDP) – 3,37,879 passengers
• Chittaranjan (CRJ) – 98,357 passengers
To meet rising demand, additional coaches have been attached to several trains, including 13021/22 Mithila Express, 13105/06 Sealdah–Ballia Express, 13185/86 Gangasagar Express, and 13009/10 Doon Express, each augmented by one General Second Class coach. Temporary holding areas have also been established to manage heavy passenger flow — 365 sq. m at Asansol and 278.8 sq. m each at Jasidih and Madhupur.
Passenger convenience has been prioritised through enhanced amenities such as extended waiting areas, drinking water booths, improved lighting, clear signage, queue management systems, shelters from sun and rain, and frequent announcements. Dedicated helpdesks and information counters at key stations ensure timely guidance, while special care is being extended to senior citizens, Divyangjan, women, and children through dedicated staff and volunteers.
Two scratch rakes have been arranged using spare coaches at Asansol Junction to manage the heavy rush. Queue formation and separate entry–exit arrangements have been introduced at major stations to ensure smooth boarding and deboarding.
A large workforce of railway employees has been deployed round-the-clock across stations for on-ground management and passenger facilitation, supported by officers from the operating, commercial, electrical, mechanical, and security departments. Additionally, 620 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed across key stations under Asansol Division, and 180 personnel are deployed in train escorts to ensure crowd control, surveillance, and passenger safety.
