Indian Railways (IR) has announced an array of initiatives to ensure a seamless and comfortable experience for the estimated 40 crore pilgrims expected at Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj.
Union Minister of Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has inaugurated several key initiatives to enhance IRs’ readiness for Maha Kumbh 2025 in the Prayagraj region. These measures aim to provide safe, seamless and technologically advanced services for millions of pilgrims.
At the core of these preparations, a state-of-the-art, 24×7 Kumbh War Room at the Railway Board level, equipped with live feeds from 1,176 CCTV cameras across nine key stations for real-time monitoring and coordination have been set up. To enhance communication and accessibility, a 12-language announcement system has been introduced at major stations, along with a multilingual facilitation booklet available in 22 languages to cater with the pilgrims of this diverse nation. A massive operational plan will see 13,000 trains, including 3,134 special services, running during the event, supported by a Rs. 5,000 Cr. investment in infrastructure enhancements over the last three years.
As part of these measures, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has initiated the operation of special trains to cater to the heavy rush of pilgrims. Two pairs of special trains are running between Kamakhya-Tundla and Naharlagun – Tundla, with four trips in each direction. These trains, equipped with AC, Sleeper, and General Sitting coaches, provide a comfortable and accessible option for pilgrims, covering important stations like Rangiya, New Jalpaiguri, Patna, and Prayagraj.
Key upgrades also includes 48 new platforms, 21 Foot Over Bridges, 23 holding areas capable of accommodating over 1 lakh pilgrims, and 554 ticketing counters, including mobile units. Freight trains have been rerouted to Dedicated Freight Corridors to prioritize passenger services, while innovative crowd management measures like color-coded tickets and barcode-enabled systems will ensure smooth operations even on peak days such as Mauni Amavasya, which is expected to attract 5 crore devotees. These comprehensive measures reflect Indian Railways’ commitment to delivering a safe, efficient, and technologically advanced travel experience during this iconic spiritual event.
