Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian Railways is set to run approximately 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special services, to accommodate the massive influx of devotees attending the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj. The event will begin on January 13 (Paush Purnima) and conclude on February 26 (Mahashivratri).

Key Highlights of the Preparations

  Infrastructure Investment The railways have invested ₹5,000 crore over the past two years to enhance infrastructure ahead of the fair. A new rail bridge over the Ganga, the first in 100 years, has been completed and is set for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  Expanded Rail Network Tracks between Prayagraj and Varanasi have been doubled, along with the expansion of the Phaphamau-Janghai section, significantly increasing train capacity. 48 new platforms, 21 foot overbridges, and 23 holding areas have been constructed to manage the crowd.

  Special Train Features 16-coach MEMU trains will operate for pilgrims. Regular trains will have engines at both ends to save time on shunting.

  Color-Coded System Railway stations in Prayagraj have adopted a color-coded system for ease of navigation. Directional arrows and ticket colors will match passenger sheds, helping devotees find their platforms easily.

  Digital and Mobile Ticketing A mobile Unreserved Ticket System (UTS) app has been introduced, allowing pilgrims to book tickets online via QR codes displayed on jackets worn by railway staff.

Control and Monitoring

   Control rooms have been established at key stations, with live feeds sent to a master control room at Prayagraj station.     

   Real-time updates and CCTV surveillance from local police and Maha Kumbh Nagar are integrated for efficient crowd management.

Lessons Learned and Enhancements

The preparations draw from past experiences, including the Ayodhya Ram Mandir consecration and the Rath Yatra in Puri, ensuring improved infrastructure and better crowd handling.

Expected Influx and Services

An estimated 1.5 to 2 crore pilgrims are expected to travel to Prayagraj by train during the 45-day fair.

Compared to the 7,000 trains operated during Kumbh 2019, the 13,000 trains planned for 2025 reflect the growing scale of the event.

Vaishnaw personally reviewed stations under the Northeast Railway, Northern Railway, and North Central Railway zones, emphasizing that facilities such as holding areas and ticketing kiosks have been significantly improved for the convenience of devotees.

Accompanied by senior officials, including Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar, Vaishnaw expressed confidence in the readiness of the Indian Railways to support this mega event.