New Delhi Railway Station Introduces Separate Entry and Exit Gates for Diwali, Chhath Rush; Check Gate Numbers

Passengers traveling from New Delhi Railway Station during the Diwali and Chhath Puja rush will have to follow a new entry and exit arrangement introduced by Northern Railway. The railway authority has designated separate gates for reserved and unreserved passengers to manage the expected increase in passenger numbers and reduce congestion inside the station.

Under the new system, passengers with reserved Sleeper and AC tickets must use Gate Nos. 8 and 11, marked in blue, to reach Platforms 1 to 15. Passengers traveling with unreserved or general tickets must enter through Gate No. 12, marked in yellow, for Platforms 1 to 16. The railway authority has also introduced one-way movement. Passengers entering the station cannot use the same designated gates to exit. Separate gates have been assigned for people leaving the station.

New Delhi Railway Station: Which Gate Should Passengers Use?

According to Himanshu Shekhar Upadhyay, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of Northern Railway, the gate arrangements depend on the passenger's ticket category and platform.

Gate 8 and Gate 11 (Blue): Reserved Sleeper and AC ticket holders traveling from Platforms 1 to 15.

Gate 12 (Yellow): Unreserved or general ticket holders traveling from Platforms 1 to 16.

Passengers should check the signboards installed across the station and follow instructions from railway staff. They should also confirm their platform details before choosing an entrance.

Railway Introduces Mobile Ticketing to Reduce Queues

Along with separate entry gates, Northern Railway has introduced additional measures to manage passenger movement. Railway staff are using handheld devices to issue unreserved tickets directly to passengers. The facility is intended to reduce waiting time at ticket counters and prevent long queues during peak travel hours. Signboards have also been installed at important locations, including foot overbridges and entry and exit points, to guide passengers toward the correct routes. The railway authority has said that ramps and accessible pathways will remain available for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and passengers requiring wheelchair assistance.

Platform Ticket Sales Suspended at Six Railway Stations

Northern Railway has temporarily stopped platform ticket sales from November 3 to November 14, 2026, at six stations to restrict unnecessary entry during the festive rush.

The affected stations are:

• New Delhi Railway Station
• Delhi Junction
• Hazrat Nizamuddin
• Ghaziabad
• Anand Vihar Terminal
• Anand Vihar Halt

However, exemptions will be provided to people accompanying elderly, sick, specially abled, illiterate and women passengers who require assistance. The restriction is aimed at reducing the number of non-traveling visitors entering station premises, allowing railway staff to focus on managing passengers who are boarding or arriving on trains.

Earlier Railway Plan Included QR-Based Entry and AI Surveillance

The latest arrangements follow a broader crowd-management plan discussed by the Ministry of Railways in March 2026. In a review meeting chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Ministry announced plans to introduce a QR code-based access-control system at New Delhi Railway Station. The proposed system would regulate entry using valid tickets and help separate reserved, unreserved and monthly season ticket holders.

The Ministry also outlined plans for AI-powered CCTV surveillance, a monitoring control room, improved staff identification and designated holding areas for unreserved passengers. These measures are intended to improve station security and manage passenger movement during high-footfall periods.

What Passengers Should Know Before Visiting the Station

Passengers traveling during Diwali and Chhath Puja should check their ticket category, train details and platform number before reaching New Delhi Railway Station. Reserved and general ticket holders must use their designated entry gates and follow the one-way movement system. The new arrangements are part of Northern Railway's efforts to manage the festive travel rush through separate passenger routes, mobile ticketing, clearer signage and restrictions on platform ticket sales. Their effectiveness will depend on passenger cooperation and the implementation of crowd-control measures by railway staff.