Western Railway suspended all parcel services at Ahmedabad's Kalupur station from 7 to 15 November. The decision was taken in view of the heavy Diwali and Chhath Puja passenger rush at the station.

The suspension covers inward and outward bookings, including private lease operators. It was ordered under an order issued on 6 November, a day before the suspension began.

Why parcels were stopped

The aim is to prevent platform congestion and ensure passenger safety amid redevelopment work at the station. Kalupur station is already crowded during the festival rush, and parcels add to the pressure on platforms.

Redevelopment work at the station has also reduced the space available. With fewer platforms and more passengers, the railways decided that parcel operations had to stop for nine days.

What is exempt

Personal luggage carried in coaches is exempt from the suspension. Registered newspaper and magazine bookings are also exempt, so the daily flow of papers and periodicals will not stop.

Parcels loaded before 7 November may also travel. The suspension applies to new bookings from 7 November, not to parcels that were already loaded and on their way.

The festival rush behind the decision

Diwali and Chhath Puja bring a heavy rush of passengers to Kalupur station, as people travel home for the festivals. The station handles large crowds in this period, and the platforms fill up quickly.

The suspension is a crowd management measure. By stopping parcels, the railways free up platform space for passengers and reduce the risk of accidents in the rush.

Nine days of suspension

The suspension runs from 7 to 15 November, covering the peak of the festival travel period. Parcel services will resume after 15 November, once the rush has eased.

Private lease operators, who run parcel services under contract, are also covered by the suspension. Their bookings are stopped along with the railway's own parcel services.

What passengers and senders should know

Passengers travelling through Kalupur station will not be affected in their personal luggage, which remains exempt. People who need to send parcels will have to wait until after 15 November or use another station.

The railways have said the suspension is temporary and linked to the festival rush and the redevelopment work. Normal parcel services will return once the period ends.