New Delhi: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has approved a plan to develop 76 ‘Passenger Holding Areas’ at railway stations across the country, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, and Udhna in Gujarat. The decision follows the successful implementation of a similar passenger holding area at New Delhi Railway Station.

The new holding areas will feature modular designs, allowing them to be tailored to local conditions and passenger requirements. The Union Minister has directed that construction at all identified stations be completed well before the 2026 festive season.

The initiative aims to address the growing number of rail passengers and the heavy rush typically witnessed at stations during festivals. At New Delhi Railway Station, the Yatri Suvidha Kendra (Permanent Holding Area) played a crucial role in managing large passenger crowds during Diwali and Chhath Puja. The facility, completed within four months, can accommodate approximately 7,000 passengers at a time, significantly improving pre-boarding comfort and passenger flow.

The New Delhi holding area is strategically divided into three zones — Ticketing, Post-Ticketing, and Pre-Ticketing — to streamline passenger movement. It is equipped with 150 toilets each for men and women, ticket counters, automatic ticket vending machines, and free RO water facilities.

The success of this model has prompted the expansion of similar facilities to major railway stations nationwide.

List of 76 Stations: