Scouts & Guides deployed at key railway station in Jammu for crowd management

JAMMU: Special teams of Scouts and Guides have been deployed at key railway stations under the Jammu division to ensure smooth passenger movement and effective crowd management during the Navratri festival, officials said on Wednesday.

Anticipating a heavy influx of devotees visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, the division has implemented comprehensive security and passenger amenity measures to handle overcrowding at stations, they said.

Major stations, including Jammu Tawi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, witness a surge in passenger traffic during the festival, the officials said.

So, trained Scouts and Guides have been stationed at these locations to assist pilgrims and maintain order, they said.

Their responsibilities include regulating queues at platforms and entry and exit gates, guiding passengers to correct platforms and trains, assisting elderly persons, women and persons with disabilities, and preventing overcrowding in specific areas to ensure unobstructed movement, they said.

The volunteers are also coordinating with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) to respond to medical emergencies and other issues arising due to crowd pressure, they said.

Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal said the deployment of Scouts and Guides would play a vital role in managing passenger flow and providing essential train-related information, particularly to elderly travellers.

The Railway administration has appealed to pilgrims to remain patient, avoid carrying excessive luggage and follow the instructions of railway staff, Scouts, Guides and security personnel.

Passenger safety and convenience remain the administration’s top priority, the officials added.

Chaitra Navratri will begin on March 19 and end March 27, with the shrine board expecting a heavy rush of devotees from across the country. (PTI)