Additional facilities, special trains for Kumbh pilgrims

To help pilgrims visiting the ongoing Sinhanstha Kumbh Mela in Nasik, the Railways have created additional facilities and introduced special trains, augmented coaches in popular trains and deployed additional staff.
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu who reviewed arrangements with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Railway Board members recently, also gave instructions for ensuring "best possible facilities" to the passengers, said a railway statement today.
"The special focus has been given in creating relevant facilities in and around Nasik and Trambakeshwar for the convenience of the travelling public," the statement said.
The measures undertaken include additional counters for ticketing and enquiry, new foot over bridges several special trains, extra coaches in popular trains, revamping of platforms and waiting halls, new enclosures with water taps and toilets.

Other measures such as additional deployment of security, CCTV monitoring, medical facilities, deployment of additional staff, effective mechanism for crowd management, facilities for drinking water and catering, effective public information system and officers' committees for monitoring and supervision have also been put in place, it said.
The Kumbh Mela, which began yesterday, will continue upto September.

"For facilitating railway passengers and pilgrimages, various works of Rs 25.8 Crore have been executed by Central Railway," the statement said.
Additional 14 short-distance and 15 Long-distance trains will run during the Parvani days.
During non-Parwani days, four additional short-distance trains will also run, it said, adding Central Railway has already announced running of 12 fully reserved superfast special trains between Nasik Road and Howrah and 39 unreserved special trains between Nasik Road-Bhusaval and Odha-Igatpuri.