The Eastern Railway has announced the operation of 47 pairs of special trains for Maha Kumbh Mela to cater to the influx of pilgrims heading to Prayagraj. This initiative aims to ensure smooth and efficient travel for the millions of devotees expected to attend the event, which is recognized by UNESCO as part of the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Special Trains List for Maha Kumbh, Key Routes and Operations
- Howrah to Tundla: 27 pairs of Kumbh Mela special trains from Howrah to Tundla will run providing a significant boost to connectivity.
- Howrah to Bhind: 4 pairs of Kumbh Mela special trains from Howrah to Bhind trains will operate on this route.
- Malda Town to Prayagraj: 11 pairs of Kumbh Mela special trains from Malda Town to Prayagraj will ensure pilgrims from Malda have direct access to the holy site.
- Bhagalpur to Kanpur Central: 5 pairs of Kumbh Mela special trains from Bhagalpur to Kanpur Central will facilitate travel from Bhagalpur.
In addition to these Prayagraj Kumbh Mela special trains, regular services are also being maintained to accommodate the high demand. Yesterday alone, 330 trains, including both Mela Special and regular trains, operated from eight railway stations in the Prayagraj region, serving around 12.5 lakh devotees.
Enhanced Facilities and Monitoring
To manage this large-scale operation, the railways have implemented several measures:
- Additional Staff and Rakes: Extra personnel and train rakes have been deployed to handle the increased passenger load.
- CCTV Monitoring and Control Towers: Enhanced security and monitoring systems are in place to ensure the safety and smooth operation of services.
- Passenger Shelters and Platform Supervision: Temporary shelters and increased supervision at platforms are provided to assist pilgrims.
- Senior railway officials, including the General Manager of the North-Central zone and divisional railway managers from Prayag, Varanasi, and Lucknow, are on-site to oversee the operations and address any issues promptly.
Commitment to Service
Despite the heavy rush, Indian Railways is committed to providing seamless travel for devotees. The Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has assured that all Mahakumbh Mela railway stations are functioning smoothly, and efforts are being made to maintain this throughout the event.
The Mahakumbh is a significant religious event, and the Eastern Railway's initiative to run special trains demonstrates their dedication to supporting the spiritual journey of millions of pilgrims.
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