In preparation for the 2025 Kumbh Mela, Indian Railways is planning a significant upgrade in services. A total of 992 special trains will run between January 12 and February 28 to accommodate pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj and nearby areas. These trains are specifically scheduled to meet the demands of religious festivals, including Kumbh Mela, Paush Poornima, Makar Sankranti, Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, Maghi Poornima, and Mahashivratri.
The special trains will operate in addition to the 6,580 regular trains, ensuring ample options for visitors during this peak travel season.
Circular Train Services and Extra Stoppages
To further ease travel for pilgrims, Indian Railways has introduced circular train routes such as Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj and Prayagraj-Varanasi-Ayodhya-Prayagraj. This will provide pilgrims easier access to other major religious cities. In addition, 140 passing-through trains will be granted temporary stoppages in Prayagraj to allow for more convenient boarding options.
Infrastructure and Safety Upgrades
Beyond the introduction of special trains, Indian Railways is also investing heavily in infrastructure to ensure smooth and safe operations. An allocation of Rs 933 crore will be used to create and upgrade passenger amenities across stations and train routes. To further boost capacity, 174 longer train rakes have been planned for the special services.
Additionally, ongoing projects, including the doubling of railway tracks in the Prayagraj Division and nearby areas, are being fast-tracked at a cost of Rs 3,700 crore. These upgrades aim to facilitate smoother movement of trains during the Kumbh Mela and other festivals.
Ensuring a Safe and Secure Journey
In a meeting chaired by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with MoS Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu and V Somanna, officials discussed the necessary arrangements for ensuring a safe and efficient journey for the millions of expected travelers. Emphasis was placed on ensuring proper safety, security, and operational readiness during the festive period.
Massive Turnout Expected
Indian Railways expects more than 6 crore visitors to arrive in Prayagraj during Kumbh Mela, in addition to the 20-30 crore passengers traveling across India for other festivals. In comparison, the 2019 Kumbh Mela saw over 24 crore visitors, with 694 special trains running alongside 5,000 regular services. This year, the number of special trains has been increased by 42% to meet the growing demand.
The enhanced train services and infrastructure upgrades are poised to make the 2025 Kumbh Mela a seamless experience for the millions of pilgrims.
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