BS News Agency/PIB: Comprehensive Safety & Passenger Facility Upgrades
Kolkata, October 14, 2026
To handle the festive rush during Durga Puja and Chhath, Eastern Railway (ER) has significantly scaled up overall train operations. A total of 1,354 TOD special train trips has been notified for 2026 (01/10/2026 to 30/11/2026), representing a 12.08% increase over the 1,208 total trips run in 2025 (15/09/2025 to 15/11/2025). Across the entire network, special night suburban services operating during Durga Puja (17.10.2026 to 21.10.2026) have been increased by 61.54%, expanding from 39 total services in 2025 to 63 total services in 2026.
The ER General Manager, Ms. Gitika Pandey, today addressed the media at the Eastern Railway Headquarters, announcing comprehensive overall arrangements for Durga Puja to ensure seamless, safe, and comfortable travel across the entire region. The high-level conference was held in the presence of Shri Sheelendra Pratap Singh, Additional General Manager, alongside senior officials including the Principal Chief Commercial Manager, IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Principal Chief Operations Manager, Principal Chief Electrical Engineer, Principal Chief Medical Director, and Shri Shibram Majhi, Chief Public Relations Officer, Eastern Railway.
Passenger convenience measures have been topmost importance across all divisions. The total holding area capacity has been increased by 35.61%, growing from 102,777 sq. ft. in 2025 to 139,377 sq. ft. in 2026 to comfortably accommodate festive crowds. Additionally, total commercial staff deployment during Durga Puja has grown by 21.13%, rising from 369 staff members in 2025 to 447 staff members in 2026. To streamline passenger ticketing, overall unreserved counters during Durga Puja 2026 have been increased to 64 (up from 47 in normal periods), while mobile ticketing counters have been expanded to 38 (up from 24 in normal periods).
Safety, security, and medical response arrangements have been substantially strengthened zone-wide. Total CCTV camera setups at high-rush stations have increased by 30.78%, scaling up from 1,439 units in 2025 to 1,882 units in 2026. Overall Railway Protection Force (RPF) deployment has been augmented by 20.34%, rising from 1,514 personnel in 2025 to 1,822 personnel in 2026. Medical coverage is ensured with fully operational Emergency Medical Rooms, Medical Booths, medical teams, and continuous 24-hour ambulance services across all key zones.
Cleanliness and passenger welfare are prioritized through round-the-clock 24/7 cleaning conducted in three daily shifts with extra staff on duty during peak evening and night hours. The cleaning drive is closely monitored by AME/Environment and Housekeeping Management teams and dedicated Chief Health Inspectors (CHIs), utilising mechanised cleaning, continuous garbage removal, and chlorination checks for safe drinking water. Complete passenger security is maintained via dog squads, luggage scanners, flying squads (including female staff), armed Quick Response Teams (QRT), 24/7 central and divisional control rooms, shift-wise staff deployment at lifts and escalators, diesel generator power backups, clear emergency exits, two-member RPF night local train escorts (with female personnel), and strict crowd-management policies ensuring no last-minute platform changes occur.
The Chief Public Relations Officer, Eastern Railway, Shri Shibram Majhi stated, "Eastern Railway is fully dedicated to delivering a safe, comfortable, and hassle-free travel experience for all passengers throughout the festive season through these elaborate and coordinated arrangements."