 "Maha Kumbh: Prayagraj Railways has special action plan for Makar Sankranti")
A special action plan for railway stations has been developed by the Prayagraj Railway Division in advance of Makar Sankranti on January 14. During the day, over 1 crore devotees are anticipated to take a sacred bath at Sangam. The Prayagraj Railway Division has taken a number of steps to control the expected crowd and guarantee a comfortable journey on the auspicious fair of Maha Kumbh 2025.
Maha Kumbh Special Train in Prayagraj: The purpose of this approach is to prevent crowding and stampedes while guaranteeing the smooth flow of pilgrims to and from Prayagraj. The Prayagraj Railway Division intends to run about 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special trains for the fair, ahead of Makar Sankranti. There are designated access and exit points at stations for the first royal bath.
Maha Kumbh 2025: State-wise trains
Western Railway: In preparation for Maha Kumbh 2025, the Western Railway has launched 98 special trains that will provide passenger comfort, cleanliness, and electrical appliance operation. Officials from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) have been tasked with guiding travellers from specified locations to their trains.
From Jaynagar to Jhusi: On January 10, 24, 31, February 1, and March 1, the North Eastern Railway (NER) special train (05285/05286) will make four trips from Jaynagar to Jhusi. It will make stops at important stations, including Varanasi, Muzaffarpur, Madhubani, and Darbhanga. On January 24, 18, and 20, among other days, many special trains would leave from Moula Ali to Gaya and Guntur to Azamgarh.
From Una to Prayagraj: Between January 17 and February 23, special trains will stop at Nangal Dam, Anandpur Sahib, Roop Nagar, Morinda, Chandigarh, Roorkee, Najibabad, Ambala Cantt, Yamunanagar Jagadhri, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Lucknow, and Rae Bareli on their way from Una to Prayagraj.
There will be 18 coaches on these trains, including three-tier air-conditioned coaches, sleepers, and generals. AC three-tier coaches cost Rs 1,670, while sleeper coaches cost Rs 620. According to PTI, general ticket booking for coaches would begin two hours prior to the train's departure.
Ring rail route services: Over 500 trains will operate on ring rail
Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj and Prayagraj-Sangam are among the routes. Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Chitrakoot-Govindpuri, Prayag-Jaunpur-Prayag-Prayagraj, and Jhansi-Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Manikpur-Chitrakoot-Jhansi.
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South Central Railway: The SCR also declared a list of special train services for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. Here is a complete list:
- Train 7701 will depart from Guntur at 23:00 on January 24 and arrive in Azamgarh at 17:15 the next day.
- Train 7702 will depart from Azamgarh at 19:45 on January 26 and arrive in Guntur by 09:00 the next day.
- Train 7707 will depart Moula Ali at 23:55 and arrive in Azamgarh by 17:15 the following day. This train will travel on two dates: January 18 and February 21.
- Train 7708 will return from Azamgarh to Moula Ali on January 20 and February 23, leaving at 19:45 and arriving at 07:30 on the second day.
- Train 7711 will depart Moula Ali for Gaya at 17:50 on January 19 and arrive at 09:00 the following morning.
- Train 7712 returns from Gaya to Moula Ali on January 21 with a similar timetable.
- Train 7719 will depart from Guntur at 14:20 on January 25 and arrive in Gaya at 09:00 the following morning.
- Train 7720 will depart Gaya at 14:15 on January 27 and arrive in Guntur at 04:00 the next day.
- Train 7721 departs Nanded for Patna at 23:00 on January 22 and arrives at 10:30 the next morning.
- Train 7722 returns from Patna to Nanded on January 24, leaving at 15:30 and arriving at 04:30.
- Train 7725 departs Kacheguda for Patna at 16:45 on January 25 and arrives at 10:30 the next morning.
- Train 7726 returns from Patna to Kacheguda on January 27, leaving at 11:30 and arriving at 07:00 the next day.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Station-wise plan by Prayagraj Railways
• Prayagraj Junction: Platform No. 1 on the city side would be the entry point, and the Civil Lines side would be the exit. Dedicated waiting shelters will be used to direct unreserved passengers to their platforms. On the city side, reserved passengers will enter at Gate No. 5.
• Naini Junction: Station Road would be the entry point, and the second entrance, next to the goods yard, would be the exit.
• Prayagraj Chheoki Station: GEC Naini Road is the exit, and COD Road, which connects to the Prayagraj-Mirzapur Highway, is the entrance.
• Prayag Junction: Rampriya Road, Platform No. 4, is the exit, while Chatham Line, Platform No. 1, is the entry point. Passengers with reservations will enter at Sahso Road's second gate.
• Phaphamau Station: Enter by Platform No. 4's second entrance, then head out in the direction of Phaphamau Market.
• Subedarganj Station: Jhalwa-Kaushambi Road is the entrance and exit on GT Road.
• Rambagh Station: You enter through Hanuman Mandir Chauraha's main gate and leave on Lower Road.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Convenience for the pilgrims' arrival
The railway officials have finished all required preparations, including crowd control, ticket booking counters, train services, and security precautions, NCR Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Shashi Kant Tripathi informed ANI. According to the CPRO, which provided information on train services, North Central Railways would begin offering unreserved short-distance regular trains tomorrow.
In addition, according to an NCR official, the North Central Railway (NCR) is ready to handle the enormous flood of pilgrims for the Maha Kumbh. It expects to run more than 300 trains, including 80 special services, to guarantee effective transportation for devotees arriving in Prayagraj.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Railways preparations
Shashi Kant Tripathi stated, “We began our preparations for the Maha Kumbh two years ago. Now, our preparations have reached a level where we can confidently welcome all our passengers. Our long-distance special trains commenced services on January 1, including 50 operations. Our ring rail services started on January 10, and unreserved short-distance regular trains will begin tomorrow, coinciding with the first day of the Maha Kumbh.”
He further added, “More than 80 Mela Special Trains will operate tomorrow, bringing the total number of trains in service to around 300. These will facilitate the movement of passengers to their destinations. Since Makar Sankranti is the day after tomorrow, we have also started inward special train services.”