File Photo courtesy Indian Railways
New Delhi: Indian Railways is operating an all-time high of 360 trains from Prayagraj Station, including 190 special trains, 110 regular trains, and 50-60 MEMU trains, to cater to the demand for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya, the most auspicious day of Maha Kumbh 2025, which falls on January 29. This ‘historic’ move ensures a train runs every four minutes, and provides seamless connectivity and uninterrupted travel for millions of pilgrims.
On January 14, 2025, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, Indian Railways operated 132 to 135 special trains from Prayagraj, and thereafter, Railways took further extensive measures by significantly increasing train services for the upcoming Mauni Amavasya, to accommodate the unprecedented influx of pilgrims.
Addressing the media, the Chairman and Chief Executive Office of the Railway Board, Satish Kumar, said that Indian Railways has developed infrastructure worth ₹5,000 crore in and around Prayagraj to support the Maha Kumbh Mela, ensuring timely upgrades and enhanced capacity. The key infrastructure developments such as new Road Under Bridges (RUBs) and Road Over Bridges (ROBs), track doubling and station upgrades, have made this record-breaking train service possible by decongesting the Rail lines, he added.
He further stated, “Indian Railways has significantly improved passenger amenities to ensure a seamless journey for devotees. Every station in Prayagraj possesses newly constructed toilets along with ample drinking water and food courts. In case of emergencies, First Aid booths and medical observation rooms will provide the needed assistance. At Prayagraj Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki, the Yatri Suvidha Kendra will assist devotees with wheelchairs, luggage trolleys, hotel and taxi bookings, medicines, baby milk and other essentials.”
For better crowd management, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are deployed at railway stations to ensure seamless boarding and deboarding. Kumar said a special RPF team has been assigned to ensure the safety of devotees during the ongoing Maha Kumbh. To facilitate smooth movement, colour-coded tickets and designated Ashriya Asthals have been introduced. RPF personnel escort devotees from the Ashriya Asthals and assist them in reaching the trains. Holding areas have been set up both at Prayagraj station and outside the station, where food, water, and other essential facilities are provided for up to one lakh people. Medical teams are also stationed at the locations, ready to attend to any devotee who requires immediate care.
Kumar stated that devotees were arriving around the clock by train for the Maha Kumbh, and to manage the large crowds, numerous CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor and divert pilgrims to less crowded areas. Praising the Uttar Pradesh government’s arrangements for the convenience of the devotees, including provisions for both accommodation and food, he informed that in coordination with the state government, Indian Railways established multiple holding areas where passengers could wait comfortably in tents. “These areas are equipped with food arrangements and display information in several languages,” he said, adding that one of the largest such areas is Khusro Bagh, located just outside Prayagraj station, which can accommodate up to 1 lakh passengers at a time.
– global bihari bureau
