Vijayawada Division Gears Up to Handle Festival Rush

 

263 Special Trains Operated for Passenger Convenience

In view of the ongoing festive season of Dussehra, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway, has made elaborate arrangements to handle the extra passenger rush and ensure a smooth, safe, and comfortable travel experience for rail users.

Indian Railways has planned to operate more than 12,011 Special Trains across the country to meet the festival demand, out of which 973 trains belong to South Central Railway and 263 trains pertain to Vijayawada Division. Between 21^st September and 30^th November 2025, a total of 1,277 special trains will run through the Division, marking a 5.8% increase compared to the previous year.

During the period 21st September to 20th October 2025, South Central Railway operated 1,010 special train services, including 104 trains run by Vijayawada Division. Passenger traffic across the Division touched 1.35 crore, registering a notable growth from 1.21 crore during the same period last year. To accommodate additional demand, 68 extra coaches were attached to regular trains.

To ensure passenger safety and convenience, the Division has implemented comprehensive arrangements at major stations like Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Nellore, and Gudur. These include establishment of holding areas, round-the-clock CCTV surveillance, additional booking counters, deployment of extra staff, intensive ticket checking, and enhanced passenger information systems. Digital ticketing promotion through the UTS Mobile App and Rail One App is being actively encouraged.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Mohit Sonakiya, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, said, “The festival season witnesses a surge in passenger movement, and our teams have worked tirelessly to ensure a seamless and safe travel experience. With enhanced facilities, additional trains, and vigilant staff, we are fully prepared to handle the rush efficiently and provide hassle-free service to our passengers.”

The Division has also strengthened War Rooms/Rail Madad Cells for real-time monitoring, ensured on-board catering coordination with IRCTC, and tightened fire safety and security checks at stations and in trains.

Passengers are advised to follow station guidelines, use digital ticketing options, and cooperate with staff for a safe and pleasant journey during the festive period.

Annexure

Arrangements to handle Festival Rush & Special Trains operated
by Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway

• In view of the festival season of Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja, Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway has swung into action and made extensive arrangements to handle the extra rush and crowd so as to ensure smooth and hassle-free journey to the rail passengers.
• Indian Railways is operating more than 12,011 Special Trains across the entire country to various destinations to cater the festival rush, out of which 973 trains pertains to South Central Railway and  263 trains pertain to Vijayawada Division
• For the period between September 21^st and 30^th November, 2025, total 1277 special trains are being operated across various destinations of the Division including the special trains of other Zones passing through the Division. This is 5.8 % more than the 1207 special trains that were operated during the last year in the same period.
• These trains are serving high-demand routes connecting key destinations in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and other regions.

Specials operated during 21^st September to 20^th October 2025

• SCR has operated 1,010 special train services between various destinations. (Within the Zone – 399 and inter-zonal – 611 trains), out of which the Division operated 104 originating special train services between various destinations. (Within the Zone – 88 and inter-zonal – 16 trains).
• This is 31% more than the special trains that were operated in the last financial year, during the same period.
• 66.52 lakh outward passengers and 67.91 lakh inward passengers, totalling to 1.35 Crore passengers, have travelled across Vijayawada Division, SCR in regular express, passenger trains and special trains.
• Last year, during the festive season from 1^st Oct to 31^st Oct 2024, outward passengers of 59.96 lakh and inward passengers of 61.22 lakh, totalling 1.21 Crore passengers travelling across the Division.
• Various Regular trains were augmented with 68 additional coaches to clear the waitlisted passengers.

Special Arrangements to handle Extra Rush

• To ensure passenger safety and convenience during this high-traffic period, South Central Railway has implemented a comprehensive set of crowd control and facilitation measures at major stations like Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Nellore and Gudur, etc., which include –Holding areas establishment at  Vijayawada – 02 and Rajahmundry – 01
• CCTV surveillance is being done at all major stations with monitoring at station, zonal and Railway Board levels.
• Additional booking counters were opened at Vijayawada, 2 extra counters were operated from 5.00 to 10.00 hours and 12.00 to 20.00 hours
• Automatic Ticket Vending Machines were operated to the maximum extent in Vijayawada – 16 and  Rajahmundry – 05
• Additional staff have been deployed of various departments, viz., RPF Personnel, Ticket Checking staff, Government Railway Police, Maintenance staff, etc., with close supervision by divisional officers.  Vijayawada – 52
• In addition, Digital Ticketing Promotion is being done to create active awareness among the passengers to use the UTS Mobile App, Rail One App, etc. to avoid long queues.
• To Streamline Passenger movement, clear signage boards have been arranged to guide them to Foot over Bridges, Platforms, lifts and escalators and organised queuing systems.
• Ticket checking has been intensified to curb ticketless/irregular travel.
• Strengthening of Passenger Information Systems for the timely and correct dissemination of information regarding Train Arrival/Departure, Platform No. and Coach Position, etc.
• Since station redevelopment works are in progress at some stations, proper barricading of workplaces has been done. Furthermore, construction materials, debris, etc., are cleared to ensure the smooth passage of passengers.
• First Aid/ Medical Assistance Booths are provided on platforms.
• Catering stalls at stations have been alerted to handle additional requirements.
• Provision of On-board Catering Services has been ensured in coordination with IRCTC. Checks have been conducted to prevent cases of overcharging, unauthorised hawking, etc.
• Adequate fire safety arrangements have been made at stations and in trains.
• Further, Booking/Carriage of inflammable articles/fire crackers, explosives, and dangerous, inflammable articles etc., have been closely monitored to avoid any untoward fire incidents in SLRs and VPs.
• Joint teams of Officers and Supervisors from various Departments like Operating, Commercial, RPF, Mechanical, Electrical, Engineering and S&T were formed for round-the-clock monitoring at stations on peak days.
• War Rooms/Rail Madad Cells were strengthened for quick and effective in all divisions and Zonal Headquarters.
• Dissemination of information about special trains is being made regularly through print, electronic and social media.
• Passengers are advised to follow the guidelines at the stations to ensure smooth navigation to their trains.
• They are encouraged to plan accordingly, use digital ticketing options, and cooperate with staff for hassle free journey.