MAHA KUMBH 2025
Railway deploys over 14,000 trains to manage pilgrim influx, Rly Min monitors train operations from War Room
HARISH MONGA
Ferozepurr/New Delhi, February 22, 2025: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav visited the Railway Board War Room to oversee train operations for Maha Kumbh and reviewed arrangements for passenger convenience. He directed Railway Board Chairman-cum-CEO Satish Kumar to ensure seamless travel for devotees.
The Indian Railways played a pivotal role in making the grand event a success, transporting an estimated 12 to 15 crore pilgrims throughout Maha Kumbh. Since the beginning of the event, 13,667 trains have ferried devotees to Prayagraj and its surrounding stations. These included 3,468 special trains originating from the Kumbh area, 2,008 trains arriving from outside, and 8,211 regular trains.
Key statistics from railway operations during Maha Kumbh: 92% of trains were Mail, Express, Superfast, Passenger, and MEMU services, while 472 Rajdhani and 282 Vande Bharat trains also operated. 50% of trains originated from Uttar Pradesh, 11% from Delhi, 10% from Bihar, and 3-6% from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. Over 5,000 trains operated from Prayagraj station alone.
With India's vast railway network already under immense pressure, the railways implemented a well-planned strategy to manage the surge. Special measures were taken to distribute passenger loads across different routes and stations, ensuring efficient crowd management. Emergency contingency plans were also in place to handle unexpected surges in demand.
As Maha Kumbh draws to a close, the Indian Railways' contribution stands out as a testament to its capability to manage one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.