Railways readies additional arrangements for Kumbh Mela

New platforms, foot over-bridges, drinking water facilities, special trains, medical as well as catering facilities have been set up by the railways to serve the millions of pilgrims descending on the Nasik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2015.

Central Railway spent Rs.25.8 crore in the arrangements, Indian Railways said in a statement on Wednesday. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Wednesday reviewed the arrangements with the Railway Board.

In Nasik railway station, 85 new drinking water taps, 60 new toilets, 90 new urinals and 22 new unreserved booking counters are being added to the existing seven.

The railways are running 14 additional short-distance and 15 additional long-distance trains to serve the pilgrims.

Central Railway is running 12 fully-reserved special superfast trains between Nasik Road and Howrah and 39 special unreserved trains between Nasik Road-Bhusaval and Odha Igatpuri.

For crowd management, three passenger holding areas have been set aside at Nasik Road goods shed and two holding areas at Nasik Road station.

Six manned watch towers have been erected to keep constant vigil on the crowd in addition to 120 CCTV cameras at Nasik, Devlali and Odha.

To boost security and prevent any untoward incident, 60 metal detectors have been pressed into service and 200 portable barricades set up to segregate crowds.

The public address system has been strengthened by 34 additional speakers in Nasik railway station to the existing 104 speakers, the railways said in the statement.