By The Sampadak Express
In preparation for the massive influx of devotees expected to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, Indian Railways is running a record 360 trains, including 190 special trains, to cater to the millions of pilgrims heading to Prayagraj. The special trains will operate across three major railway zones—Northern Railway, North Eastern Railway, and North Central Railway—ensuring efficient transportation for the largest religious gathering in the world.
Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, confirmed the operation of these extensive train services, which are designed to accommodate the estimated 10 crore pilgrims anticipated to take part in the ‘Amrit Snan’ on ‘Mauni Amavasya’. This day, considered the most auspicious during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela, marks a key religious ritual that attracts millions of devotees.
Infrastructure and Preparations
Kumar emphasized that the railway’s massive effort is part of an overall strategy to handle the unprecedented scale of this year’s Maha Kumbh Mela. Indian Railways has made significant infrastructure upgrades in and around Prayagraj to ensure smooth and timely operations. This includes a Rs 5,000 crore investment to improve the transport network and support the surge in pilgrim traffic.
Among the key infrastructure developments are new road under bridges (RUBs), road over bridges (ROBs), track doubling, and upgrades to stations. These initiatives have played a vital role in decongesting rail lines and allowing the trains to operate efficiently. Additionally, the enhancements have been crucial in ensuring that services run on schedule, without delays.
A Train Every Four Minutes
The increased services will ensure a train departs every four minutes, ensuring that millions of pilgrims can travel to and from the Mela with minimal wait times. Special trains will be scheduled during peak hours to accommodate the massive crowds, providing uninterrupted connectivity to the key stations in Prayagraj.”
We are operating 360 trains for this occasion, including 190 special trains. This historic move will ensure that trains are available for the devotees at regular intervals, ensuring ease of travel for those attending the Mela,” Kumar said.
Passenger Amenities and Safety
In addition to boosting the number of trains, Indian Railways has focused heavily on enhancing passenger amenities. Stations in Prayagraj, including Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki, have been equipped with newly constructed toilets, ample drinking water, food courts, and first aid booths. Medical observation rooms have also been set up in case of emergencies.
Moreover, to further support pilgrims, Indian Railways has introduced Yatri Suvidha Kendras at major stations. These centers offer a range of services including wheelchair assistance, luggage trolleys, hotel and taxi bookings, medicines, baby milk, and other essential items for devotees.
Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed at stations to ensure smooth boarding and deboarding. RPF teams are also assisting pilgrims in navigating the stations and helping them reach their trains safely. To streamline the movement of pilgrims, color-coded tickets and designated ‘Ashriya Asthals’ (waiting areas) have been introduced. These waiting areas, with seating arrangements, are located near key stations and are designed to accommodate large numbers of devotees.
Coordinated Effort with Uttar Pradesh Government
The efforts to manage the influx of pilgrims have been closely coordinated with the Uttar Pradesh state government. Multiple holding areas have been established where passengers can wait comfortably before boarding their trains. These areas are equipped with food services, resting spaces, and display boards that provide essential information in various languages to assist pilgrims.
One of the largest such holding areas is located at Khusro Bagh, just outside Prayagraj station. This facility can accommodate up to one lakh passengers at a time and is part of the comprehensive measures being taken to ensure that the pilgrimage runs smoothly.
With the massive scale of the Maha Kumbh Mela and the millions of devotees expected to gather on ‘Mauni Amavasya’, the efforts of Indian Railways are critical to ensuring safe, efficient, and comfortable travel for all pilgrims. Through enhanced infrastructure, dedicated services, and strong collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh government, Indian Railways is committed to supporting the world’s largest religious gathering and ensuring that every devotee has a seamless experience during this auspicious occasion.
