Diwali Rush: Platform Ticket Sale Restricted At Pune Railway Station From November 1 To 15
Central Railway has restricted platform ticket sales at Pune railway station from November 1 to 15, 2026, to manage the Diwali and Chhath festival rush.
Photo: Meghavbafana / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pune, 29th October 2026: Going to Pune railway station to see off family during Diwali? Plan ahead. Central Railway has temporarily restricted the sale of platform tickets at Pune railway station from November 1 to November 15, 2026, to manage the festival rush during Diwali and Chhath.
Platform ticket restriction at a glance
- Station: Pune railway station (Central Railway, Pune Division)
- Dates: Sunday, November 1 to Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Reason: Heavy passenger rush expected during Diwali and Chhath
- Exemptions: People accompanying senior citizens, sick passengers, children, passengers who cannot read or write, and women who need help with their journey
Why the restriction is in place
Pune station handles a sharp rise in passengers during the festival season, as thousands travel home to Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states. Crowded platforms and foot overbridges can be dangerous, especially when special trains arrive and depart close together.
Hemant Kumar Behera, Public Relations Officer of the Pune Division, said the measure is aimed at managing crowd movement and ensuring passenger safety.
Who can still buy a platform ticket?
Platform tickets will still be sold to people who need to accompany:
- Senior citizens
- Sick or ailing passengers
- Children
- Passengers who cannot read or write
- Women passengers who need help managing their journey
If you fall into one of these categories, carry the passenger’s ticket details. Railway staff may ask why you need to enter the platform.
Tips for travelling from Pune station this Diwali
- Reach early. Security checks and queues take longer during the festival rush.
- Say goodbye outside the station if you do not qualify for a platform ticket.
- Check your train’s platform and status on the official NTES app or the station displays before entering.
- Travel light and keep your ticket and ID handy.
- Use public transport to reach the station. Parking and drop-off areas get congested. The Pune Railway Station metro station is next to the railway station.
- Follow announcements from RPF and railway staff, and avoid rushing on stairs and foot overbridges.
Planning other trips this season? See our guide to winter weekend getaways near Pune, and our report on Pune Airport’s new winter schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy a platform ticket at Pune station in November 2026?
Only if you are accompanying a senior citizen, sick passenger, child, a passenger who cannot read or write, or a woman who needs help. Sales are otherwise restricted from November 1 to 15.
Why are platform tickets restricted during Diwali?
To control crowds on platforms during the Diwali and Chhath rush and to keep passengers safe.
When will normal platform ticket sales resume?
The restriction is in place until November 15, 2026. Normal sales are expected to resume after that unless Central Railway extends it.
