SCR effectively handles rush for Aurangabad Ijtema

Hyderabad : The South Central Railway rose to the occasion and undertook a concerted plan of action to handle the huge flow of rail traffic for the Ijthema (Muslim Congregation) held from 24th to 26th February at Aurangabad.

Keeping in view the expected rush of traffic, SCR General Manager Vinod Kumar Yadav directed the railway officials of Nanded Division, under which Aurangabad station is covered to take all measures for the smooth and convenient movement of the heavy outflow/inflow of the rail users who congregated at Aurangabad from various corners of Maharashtra and neighbouring states for the Ijthema.

A total of 36 Jansadharan special trains were run to handle the extra rush of public during the 3 day period, apart from attaching additional coaches in several regular trains for the purpose.

The General Manager, SCR was on hand to review the arrangements on the last day of the congregation on 26th February, 2018. Sensing the huge rush of pilgrim passengers assembled at Aurangabad Railway Station for their return journey, he immediately instructed the Chief Operations Manager, SCR to run 03 DHMU special trains in the midnight so as to clear the traffic.

With Aurangabad Railway Station seeing a footfall of around 3 Lakh passengers during the six day period between 22nd to 26th February, the extensive arrangements made by South Central Railway ensured that no untoward incident takes place due to overcrowding. An additional 80,000 outward bound passengers were handled at Aurangabad during the 6 day period, generating extra revenue of about Rs.70 Lakhs to the Division.

Trikalagya Rabha, Divisional Railway Manager, Nanded division, camped at Aurangabad during the period to personally monitor the requirements of the rail users on continuous basis and accordingly arrange the running of special trains, besides provision of other passenger facilities and deputing manpower.

A host of additional facilities were arranged at Aurangabad railway station between 24th - 26th February. These include, operating of 11 additional ticket booking counters, 10 counters at Aurangabad (6 counters at Goods Shed side, 02 counters at old Booking office and 02 counters at Main booking office, New station building) and 01 counter at Lasur station.04 Enquiry counters were also setup, 01 each at Goods Shed side, old Booking office, Reservation office, Aurangabad and Lasur station for the convenience of the devote attending the Ijthema.

With a view to restrict avoidable rush on platforms at Aurangabad railway station, the Platform Tickets fare was increased from Rs. 10/- to Rs.20/- during the 3 day period. Apart from the regular manpower available, 30 ticket Checking staff of Nanded Division was deputed at Aurangabad to undertake ticket checking and Platform duties, so as to guide passengers and undertake crowd management. 21 ticket booking clerks and 30 ticket checking staff from other Divisions were deputed for duties at Aurangabad for 4 days, so as to ensure smooth functioning of additional counters and proper ticket checking.

In addition, with a view to assist the rail passengers at Aurangabad, exclusive Enquiry counter, Railway Protection Force (RPF) Booth and Government Railway Police (GRP) Booth were arranged.

The railway authorities coordinated with the Ijthema organizers to enable their volunteers provide information and interact with the rail users coming from different places in Marathi, Urdu, Hindi, English at these assistance booths. The security needs was met by deputing 75 RPFs (Inspectors & Constables) from other divisions of South Central Railway along with 45 GRP Inspectors & Constables of Government Railway Police.

A Medical Booth was also arranged at Aurangabad to meet any emergent requirement of the devotees. This was manned by Doctors, Nurses and other Medical personnel on a continuous basis. An Ambulance was also kept ready for any Medical Emergency at the railway station.

Officials from Commercial, Operating, Security, Electrical, Signal & Telecommunications department of Nanded Division were stationed at Aurangabad to monitor the running of trains without any detention and handle the requirements of rail passengers in terms of train services and other facilities round the clock. A sizeable strength of staff, deputed at Aurangabad supplemented these efforts. The entire initiative of Railways led by the Divisional Railway Manager, Nanded Division drew appreciation from the public and the Ijthema Organising Committee, which conveyed its appreciation to South Central Railway for the efforts.