Nagpur Division of Central Railway has launched a first-of-its-kind car-to-coach drop-and-go parking system with boom barriers at the east side of Nagpur railway station. The facility, which came into effect from midnight of September 1, aims to improve transparency, streamline vehicle movement, and prevent trespassing.
According to a media report, Nagpur has become the first station in the division to introduce a modern entry–exit mechanism similar to toll naka operations. The system enables vehicles to drive directly up to platform number 8 (the home platform) under controlled access, with passengers allowed free pick-up or drop-off services for up to six minutes.
Beyond the free six-minute limit, a graded fee structure has been introduced — two-wheelers will be charged ₹20 for 6–60 minutes and ₹50 for 60–120 minutes, while four-wheelers will pay ₹50 for 6–60 minutes and ₹100 for 60–120 minutes. The contract to operate the facility has been awarded to city-based SB Multiservices for a five-year period, from September 1, 2025, to August 30, 2030.
Senior Divisional Commercial Manager (SrDCM) Aman Mittal told the media that the system was installed at a cost of ₹5 lakh. “Nagpur is the first station in the division to start this facility. We will soon extend it to Ajni, Betul, Chandrapur and Sevagram stations. Eventually, it will also be implemented at Amrit Bharat stations,” he said.
Mittal explained that the access-controlled model was developed after a detailed survey. “We found that the bare minimum time to drop a passenger and exit the premises is six minutes. Hence, we set that duration as the free limit,” he said.
The facility is equipped with six CCTV cameras to capture vehicle number plates and entry–exit timings. A receipt is generated for every vehicle, and applicable charges are automatically calculated via QR code at the exit. Vehicles belonging to the police, defence, ambulances, linen service providers, and central and state government departments have been exempted from the fees.
New system more passenger-friendly: Officials
When the Nagpur–CSMT Duronto Express first began operating from platform number 8, vehicles were compulsorily charged ₹50 for dropping passengers. In contrast, officials say the newly introduced system is more rational and passenger-friendly. The designated entry has been created near the parcel office opposite the traffic department, while the exit is positioned next to the old cycle stand.
Some initial confusion has arisen, with two-wheeler riders attempting to leave through the boom barrier. To address this, railway authorities are constructing a one-foot stainless steel wall between the cycle stand and the drop-and-go lane.
Commuters welcome the move
Regular travelers have welcomed the new system, saying it has eased congestion on platform number 8, which handles around 18 trains daily. They pointed out that traffic flow has become more streamlined, autorickshaw movement has reduced, and overall discipline at the station has improved.
Meanwhile, railway officials noted that with Nagpur station undergoing a major upgrade, the boom barrier-based access control will enhance passenger convenience and bring greater order to one of Central India’s busiest railway hubs.
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