In a move aimed at enhancing passenger convenience and managing peak-time congestion, the Northern Railway has announced the development of dedicated holding areas at Jammu Tawi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway stations.
The initiative comes in response to increasing footfall at both terminals, especially during festive seasons and pilgrimage periods. The holding zones will serve as pre-boarding waiting areas, equipped with seating, digital display boards, and crowd control systems to streamline passenger movement and reduce platform overcrowding.
Project Highlights:
- Jammu Tawi Station to get a 1,000 sq. meter holding area near Platform 1.
- Katra Station will feature a covered waiting zone with capacity for over 500 passengers.
- Facilities will include real-time train updates, security monitoring, and refreshment kiosks.
- Completion expected by March 2026, with phased rollout beginning in December 2025.
Railway officials stated that the project aligns with the broader goal of passenger-centric infrastructure upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. The holding areas are expected to significantly improve crowd management during high-demand periods such as Navratri, New Year, and summer vacations.
