South Central Railway (SCR) has drawn up a comprehensive plan to manage the festive season rush at Secunderabad station, including the creation of designated passenger holding areas on Platforms 1 and 10, outside the ticketing zone, for passengers to wait until their train arrives.
The premier station typically sees a footfall of around 1.3 lakh passengers daily, which surges to over two lakh during festive periods. In view of ongoing redevelopment work and additional train services, a host of measures will be implemented starting the last week of September.
To ease congestion on the platforms and foot overbridges (FOBs), two holding areas will be set up on Platform 1— at Gate No. 2 and Gate No. 5 — with a combined capacity of 1,500 passengers. On Platform 10, a holding area at Gate No. 8 will accommodate up to 1,125 passengers. Passengers are advised to follow signage and announcements for smooth navigation. A new entry/ exit is also being constructed from Platform 1 to the Secunderabad (West) Metro station.
Passengers travelling by car/ taxi are encouraged to use the more spacious Platform 10 side, which offers better connectivity via lifts and approach roads, as opposed to the more popular Platform 1 side that has limited pickup/drop-off bays and parking. A new basement parking facility for 200 cars is now operational on Platform 10 side, and the previously implemented 12-minute entry/exit toll gate is no longer in effect.
Key FOB landings will be made one-way during peak hours (4 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.), when passenger flow exceeds 10,000 per hour. Additional help desks, automatic ticket vending machines and staff will be deployed to assist passengers.
Some trains may be diverted via the Sanathnagar-Ammuguda-Maula Ali-Cherlapalli section, with additional halts at Cherlapalli. Passengers can download the RailOne App for real-time train running information, platform details, ticket booking, food ordering and complaint lodging.
SCR is also coordinating with the Government Railway Police, City Police and Road Transport Corporation. A 24×7 control room will be set up for continuous monitoring. These measures will be in effect during Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath Puja festivals, said SCR chief PRO A. Sridhar.