Railway ministry gears up for Kumbh Mela with 992 special trains and investment of Rs 933 crore – Railway News

The railway ministry is leaving no stone unturned in preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela with plans to run 992 special trains and allocate Rs 933 crore for upgrading infrastructure and amenities. This mega religious gathering is scheduled to be held in Prayagraj from January 12 and attract an estimated 30 to 50 crore devotees.

With a focus on ensuring a smooth journey for pilgrims, the Ministry of Railways is working on doubling railway tracks at an approximate cost of Rs 3,700 crore in Prayagraj district and adjoining areas. This initiative aims to facilitate smooth train movement, especially during the peak period of the Kumbh Mela event.

To oversee these extensive preparations, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his deputies Ravneet Singh Bittu and V Somanna are holding regular meetings and video conferences with senior railway officials and zone CEOs. The aim of these talks is to provide a comprehensive overview of preparatory activities, as well as to ensure that all necessary measures are put in place in view of the upcoming increase in passenger traffic.

It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Railways has capitalized on past experiences, especially the Kumbh Mela in 2019, where over 24 million people attended the event. Based on this knowledge, the decision was taken to increase the number of special trains by 42 percent compared to the previous Kumbh Mela, demonstrating a proactive approach to potential transport requirements.

In addition to plans for special trains, significant investment has been made for various infrastructure improvements. This includes an amount of around Rs 440 crore earmarked for construction of road flyovers and an additional Rs 495 crore for activities such as road repairs, installation of CCTV cameras and provision of additional accommodation, waiting rooms and medical facilities for passengers at the station premises.

Highlighting the progress on the ground, railway officials said that the doubling of railway lines between Varanasi and Jhusi has been completed, showing tangible progress in railway infrastructure ahead of the event. Moreover, the completion of the dedicated freight corridor, which aims to decongest the Indian Railways operationally and increase the efficiency of passenger train services, was considered a significant milestone in the preparatory efforts.

With these meticulous preparations and robust infrastructure upgrades, the Ministry of Railways is geared up to welcome millions of devotees expected to gather at Prayagraj for the holy Kumbh Mela in an effort to ensure safe and efficient travel for all pilgrims.

(With multimedia inputs)