In preparation for the upcoming Maha Kumbh 2025, Indian Railways will launch an extensive transportation plan to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey for millions of pilgrims likely to attend the grand religious event.
Divisional Railway Manager Himanshu Badoni chaired a press conference at the Prayagraj Divisional Office to outline the ambitious railway strategy, focusing on enhanced passenger services, infrastructure upgrades, and a significant increase in train services.
During the briefing, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) Sanjay Singh provided an overview of the operational blueprint for the Maha Kumbh.
According to Singh, Indian Railways plans to operate a total of 1,225 special trains during the festival, with provisions to further scale up the service to 1,600 trains if needed.
This significantly increases the number of trains from the 694 deployed during the Kumbh Mela in 2019.
In addition, 140 regular trains will continue to run throughout the duration of the fair, catering to the daily influx of devotees.
A standout feature of this year’s preparations is the comprehensive passenger management system, designed to handle an estimated 10 lakh ticket transactions per day.
The railway authorities will set up enhanced ticketing facilities, including additional counters in the Prayagraj area, to issue 80,000 tickets per hour, ensuring smooth access to train services.
Indian Railways To Introduce New Amenities For Pilgrims
The railway authorities have also prioritized passenger comfort and convenience by significantly upgrading facilities at key stations within the Prayagraj region.
These include Prayagraj Junction, Naini, Subedarganj, and others, which have been modernized to accommodate the increased footfall.
Amenities such as waiting rooms, sleeping pods, executive lounges, battery-operated vehicles, and wheelchair services will be available to provide a more pleasant travel experience.
Catering services, first aid centers, cloakrooms, and tourist booths will also be operational, while the Prime Minister’s Janaushadhi Centers will offer essential medicines at affordable rates.
Divisional Railway Manager Himanshu Badoni emphasized the Railways’ commitment to ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for devotees during the Maha Kumbh.
“We are working in coordination with multiple railway zones, including North Central Railway and North Eastern Railway, to offer uninterrupted services. Our goal is to enhance passenger satisfaction with world-class facilities,” Badoni stated.
Technological Advancements & Power Backup
The railway authorities will introduce a new multilingual announcement system at major railway stations and within the Kumbh Mela area, aligning with technological advancements.
This system will provide essential travel information in various Indian languages, helping devotees from across the country navigate the bustling stations more easily.
To prevent power disruptions, Senior Divisional Electrical Engineer Kunwar Singh Yadav outlined a four-tier power backup system that includes DG backups, alternative AT supply, UPS inverters, and rechargeable lighting systems.
This will ensure that passengers at all stations enjoy uninterrupted electricity services throughout the event.
Toll-Free Helpline & Future Expansion
For added convenience, a toll-free helpline (1800 4199 139) has been introduced to assist passengers with any queries related to train services during the Kumbh.
Information will be provided in multiple languages, ensuring that devotees from all parts of the country receive timely updates and assistance.
In closing, the railway officials highlighted their ongoing infrastructure developments, including the doubling of railway lines and the construction of roads over and under bridges, which have significantly boosted the region’s capacity to manage large crowds.
As preparations continue, Indian Railways remains dedicated to delivering an exceptional and efficient travel experience for the millions likely to visit Prayagraj for Maha Kumbh 2025.
Key officers, including Senior Divisional Commercial Manager Himanshu Shukla and Station Director VK Dwivedi, were also present at the press conference, signaling the Railways’ all-hands-on-deck approach to this monumental event.
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