Kumbh Mela: Indian Railways Ready With 992 Special Trains And Rs 933 Crore Boost

The Railway Ministry is pulling out all the stops for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, planning to run 992 special trains and spending Rs 933 crore to improve infrastructure and facilities.

This grand religious event will take place in Prayagraj from January 12, with an expected 30 to 50 crore devotees attending, as confirmed by Financial Express.

To ensure smooth travel for pilgrims, the ministry is working on doubling railway tracks in the Prayagraj area, with an estimated cost of Rs 3,700 crore. This upgrade will help trains run efficiently, especially during the Kumbh Mela’s busiest days.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his team, including deputies Ravneet Singh Bittu and V Somanna, have been conducting regular meetings with senior railway officials. These discussions are focused on keeping everyone updated on the preparations and making sure all necessary steps are taken for the expected surge in passenger numbers.

Learning from the 2019 Kumbh Mela, which saw over 24 crore attendees, the ministry decided to boost the number of special trains by 42 percent compared to the last event. This shows their proactive approach to meeting transportation needs.

In addition to the special trains, the ministry is investing heavily in various upgrades. About Rs 440 crore will go towards building road overbridges, while Rs 495 crore will be spent on road repairs, installing CCTV cameras, and adding more accommodation, waiting rooms, and medical facilities at railway stations.

Railway officials report that they have already completed the doubling of rail lines between Varanasi and Jhusi, marking significant progress in preparations. The completion of the Dedicated Freight Corridor is also a major achievement, aimed at easing the load on existing railway lines and improving passenger train efficiency.

With these extensive plans and infrastructure improvements, the Railway Ministry is ready to welcome millions of devotees to Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela, ensuring a safe and efficient travel experience for everyone.