Surat: With Diwali, Chhath Puja, and the Bihar Assembly elections drawing near, railway stations in Surat are witnessing an unprecedented surge of passengers heading to North India. Long queues begin forming at Surat and Udhna stations as early as midnight, as thousands of travelers wait to board trains bound for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. For the first time, Surat Police have introduced drone technology to monitor and manage the overwhelming rush.
As per report, thousands of passengers are arriving hours in advance to board popular trains such as the Bhagalpur Special and Tapti Ganga Express from Udhna. Last year, around 60,000 passengers had gathered at the station on a single day, leading to severe overcrowding and chaos. Learning from that experience, authorities have tightened security and implemented additional control measures this year.
In the wake of the recent stampede incident at Bardhaman railway station in West Bengal, Surat Police have declared a high alert for crowd safety. Drones are being used to keep a close watch inside the station premises and in the designated holding areas outside, ensuring that any potential panic or stampede situation can be controlled immediately.
According to Limbayat Police Inspector Chirag Dhokadiya, officers are using drone cameras, walkie-talkies, and other technical equipment to monitor passenger movement and maintain order. Passengers are being seated systematically to prevent discomfort and maintain discipline in the crowd.
This technological initiative by the police is being seen as an innovative and effective step toward crowd management during the festive season. The objective is to ensure that all passengers can travel safely, smoothly, and peacefully to their hometowns amid the festive rush.
