In a remarkable feat, the Indian Railways successfully ran over 17,000 trains during the 45-day Maha Kumbh period, four times more than the previous Kumbh, with no failures in locomotives, tracks, or overhead wires.
A Rs 5,000 crore investment over three years upgraded infrastructure and improved maintenance systems, making this achievement possible.
Around 4.5 to 5 crore people traveled by train to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh, marking the largest train operation for any festival in the railway’s history.
To accommodate this surge, all freight trains were redirected to the Dedicated Freight Corridors, allowing more passenger trains to run.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who visited Prayagraj, praised the seamless coordination between different departments and the successful execution of the operation.
Originally aiming to run 13,000 trains, the railways exceeded expectations by operating 16,000 trains, ensuring that every train ran smoothly for the devotees.
Vaishnaw also highlighted the efficient use of the Prayagraj junction area and praised the logistical arrangements.
He noted that the experience gained during this historic event would prove invaluable for managing future large-scale gatherings, including upcoming Kumbh and Ardh Kumbh melas.
Officials reported that over 200 trains put into service in the Kumbh area, some equipped with engines on both sides to avoid shunting operations.
Railways Enhance Infrastructure At Nine Key Stations
The railways made significant infrastructural improvements at nine key stations in Prayagraj, adding new entry points, 48 platforms, and 21 foot-over bridges to ease the flow of passengers.
To enhance security, authorities installed 1,186 CCTV cameras, including over 100 with facial recognition technology, and used drones for crowd control.
Additionally, they established 23 permanent holding areas to handle peak-hour congestion and made multilingual announcements.
Officials also set up 554 ticket counters, including 151 mobile counters and a QR-based ticketing system.
The railways also completed the doubling of the railway line between Banaras and Prayagraj, which included the construction of a new bridge over the Ganga river.
Also Read: UPI Sets Global Benchmark For Digital Payments: Cambridge Professor Carlos Montes
To read more such news, download Bharat Express news apps
