Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway has appealed to all rail passengers travelling across its network—including major stations such as Bhubaneswar, Puri, Brahmapur, Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Sambalpur—to strictly adhere to the crowd management and safety rules implemented at railway stations. The appeal aims to ensure a secure, comfortable, and efficient journey for everyone, especially during the ongoing festive season.
ECoR has implemented comprehensive measures, including the running of 367 special trains, augmentation of security with Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel, and establishment of 24×7 control rooms to monitor real-time passenger flow. However, the success of these extensive arrangements depends heavily on passenger cooperation and discipline.
ECoR has urged all passengers to maintain orderly queues while entering or exiting stations, purchasing tickets, and boarding trains. Passengers are advised to refrain from rushing, pushing, or creating disorder, particularly on Foot Over Bridges, escalators, and at platform edges, as the safety of all depends on calm and organized movement. Travellers should use designated holding areas at stations for waiting until the trains are ready for boarding to avoid dangerous overcrowding on platforms.
The Railway has also appealed to passengers to strictly follow the instructions of RPF, GRP, and other railway officials who are deployed to guide and manage passenger flow. Passengers are requested to arrive at stations well in advance of their scheduled departure, pay attention to announcements, verify platform numbers, and board trains in an orderly manner.
ECoR has further cautioned passengers to avoid prohibited practices that endanger lives and disrupt operations. Travelling on the footboard, buffers, or rooftops of trains is extremely dangerous and constitutes a punishable offence. Crossing railway tracks is strictly prohibited; passengers must always use Foot Over Bridges (FOBs) to move between platforms.
Pulling the alarm chain without a valid emergency not only invites legal action but also causes unnecessary delays for thousands of other passengers. Carrying inflammable materials, firecrackers, or other prohibited items on trains or station premises is banned, and strict action will be taken against violators. Passengers are also advised to keep their belongings secure and to report any unattended package or suspicious activity immediately to RPF personnel or the Railway Helpline No. 139.
Parmeshwar Funkwal, General Manager, East Coast Railway, stated that though ECoR has significantly scaled up its resources—be it special trains, enhanced security personnel, or advanced monitoring systems—to manage the festive rush, the unwavering cooperation of passengers remains paramount. He appealed to all rail users to respect the queuing systems, follow the new access rules, and adhere to the directions of railway staff. This collective effort, he emphasized, is crucial to ensuring a safe, comfortable, and seamless journey for all.
