The Waltair Division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) has implemented a multi-pronged crowd management strategy to address the significant surge in passenger traffic during the summer season.

Under the directives of Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra, the division has established a dedicated ‘War Room’ for round-the-clock monitoring of passenger movement and operational coordination to ensure safe and smooth travel.

To regulate the heavy rush, special teams consisting of Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel and ticket-checking staff have been deployed at major stations and onboard long-distance trains. These teams have been tasked with checking overcrowding and maintaining order, particularly in the general class coaches.

Addressing the challenge due to the summer heat, the division has prioritised the availability of drinking water. In collaboration with non-governmental organisations, free drinking water facilities have been set up towards the ends of platforms. All stations have been equipped with RO and chilled water dispensers. Railway authorities are encouraging passengers to maintain queues while accessing drinking water.

In an effort to reduce congestion at booking counters, the division is urging commuters to adopt digital payment methods, use QR code scanners, and utilise the RailOne app for ticket bookings. Information dissemination has been scaled up through frequent announcements on the public address system and real-time display of train positions is being displayed on digital screens.

Further enhancing passenger experience, the division has introduced several last-mile connectivity and comfort-oriented initiatives, including bike rentals, dedicated pickup points for ride-hailing services, and sleeping pods for passengers arriving.

Additionally, ECoR is operating a series of summer special trains to various destinations to cater to the increased demand during the vacation period, said the official release on Tuesday.