Kolkata : With Durga Puja 2025 around the corner, Sealdah Division of Eastern Railway has unveiled an elaborate action plan to manage the massive surge of pandal-hoppers and long-distance passengers expected during the festive days. To take stock of the situation and finalize preparedness, a high-level emergency meeting was convened by the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) at Sealdah, with all branch officers and senior officials in attendance.
The DRM emphasized that safe, smooth and timely transportation remains the top priority during Bengal’s biggest festival.
Key Measures Announced
1. Train Operations
- All galloping trains will halt at every station in the Sealdah Division between 28th September and 2nd October 2025.
- Punctuality of services will be monitored at the highest level throughout the festival.
- Extra EMU rakes to be stationed at strategic points to tackle any crisis.
- Special night services to run between Sealdah–Kalyani and Ballygunge–Sonarpur for dispersal of crowds after late-night pandal visits.
2. Ticketing & Passenger Facilities
- 10 Mobile UTS counters at Sealdah station.
- All 17 ATVMs to remain functional with 24×7 technical support.
- 21 booking counters to operate round the clock with additional clerks.
- Prafulla Dwar (Platform 1) to open before Puja, with 4 counters, 4 ATVMs, 2 Mobile UTS and facilitators for passengers traveling on the Main Line routes (Ranaghat, Krishnanagar, Kalyani, Naihati, Barrackpore).
3. Station & Crowd Management
- Sealdah Station car parking to remain closed, converted into a crowd holding area if needed.
- Trolley movements restricted during peak hours (5 PM – 7 AM).
- Immediate clearance of construction materials from all stations.
- Dedicated drop-off points for Mail/Express passengers near platforms 9 & 11–14.
4. Safety & Security
- Special RPF deployment at sensitive level crossings: Barasat, Khardah, Ballygunge, Barrackpore, Bangaon, Sonarpur, Baruipur, Ranaghat, Berhampore.
- Volunteers to assist security forces in coordination with local administration.
- Fire extinguishers to be placed at all stations, with extra units in readiness.
- Medical booths at Sealdah, Dumdum, Naihati, Barasat and other key stations, staffed with doctors and paramedics.
5. Passenger Assistance
- Additional “May I Help You” booths at Sealdah, Dumdum Jn. and Kolkata stations.
- Helpline numbers and lists of nearby police stations, hospitals and fire services to be displayed prominently.
- Passenger announcement systems and train indication boards to be specially monitored.
- 24×7 drinking water supply ensured at all important stations.
DRM’s Directives
The DRM underlined the need for inter-departmental coordination and station-specific emergency plans to prevent any disruption. The focus, he said, is on ensuring that millions of devotees and pandal-hoppers can travel comfortably and safely, keeping alive the spirit of Bengal’s grandest festival.
This makes Sealdah Division’s Puja preparedness not just a railway update, but a critical public interest story for West Bengal, impacting lakhs of daily commuters and festive travelers.
