NEW DELHI: The Railway ministry is making significant arrangements for the upcoming Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, set to begin on January 12. They plan to operate 992 special trains for this major religious event.
A senior official stated that in addition to these special trains, Rs 933 crore has been allocated to improve infrastructure and passenger amenities.
Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with deputies Ravneet Singh Bittu and V Somanna, conducted meetings to review preparations for the anticipated large influx of devotees. Regular video conferences with senior railway officials keep the progress on track.
With an expected turnout of 30 to 50 crore devotees, the Railway Ministry’s plan includes the operation of 6,580 regular trains alongside the special ones. “In 2019, over 24 crore people attended the event and we had run 694 special trains besides our 5,000 regular services,” said a senior railway official. “Based on that experience, we have decided to increase the number of special trains by 42 per cent and make it to 992.”
Efforts to double railway tracks in the Prayagraj Division and nearby areas are also underway, costing around Rs 3,700 crore. Work on road overbridges, expected to cost around Rs 440 crore, is also progressing. The remaining Rs 495 crore is allocated for various improvements such as road repairs, CCTV installation, additional accommodation units, and medical facilities.
Read More: Farmers To Get Extra Rs 4,000 Under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojna: Amit Shah
The doubling of lines between Varanasi and Jhusi is completed, and additional projects are nearing completion. The official noted, “The Dedicated Freight Corridor is ready and operational. This will help us ease the freight operation load from Indian Railway lines to DFC, making passenger train services efficient.”
