Indian Railways’ special treat for Kumbh Mela, to run these many special trains
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his two deputies held meetings to review the arrangements for handling the huge rush of devotees.
New Delhi: Indian Railways and the Ministry of Railways are engaged on making elaborate arrangements for the Kumbh Mela with a plan to run 992 special trains along with the 6,580 regular trains from a range of of cities to Prayagraj for the mega spiritual congregation to be held in Prayagraj in January, said a senior railway official on Sunday, 29 September 2024.
The Railway Ministry has earmarked Rs 933 crore to create and upgrade a range of of infrastructure and amenities for passengers, said officials. Together with that doubling of railway tracks at a value of Rs three,seven hundred crore in the Prayagraj Division and adjoining areas is being done at a quick percent for smooth movement of trains.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and his two deputies Ravneet Singh Bittu and V Somanna held meetings on Saturday, September 28 to review the arrangements for handling the gigantic rush of devotees the complete way in the course of the event set to begin on January 12.
“They also hold regular video conferences with senior railway officials, including general managers, of the zones concerned equivalent to the Northern Railway, North Central Railway and North Eastern Railway to take stock of the preparatory activities,” the officer said.
Divisional managers of the railway divisions concerned equivalent to Prayagraj, Varanasi, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, and Lucknow also take part in these meetings to produce regular updates on a range of of ongoing development works, in keeping with the officer.
About 30-50 crore devotees are expected to attend the event.
“In 2019, over 24 crore people attended the event and we had run 694 special trains along with our 5,000 regular products and services. In line with that experience, we have got made up our minds to extend the choice of special trains by forty two per cent and make it to 992,” a senior railway official said adding, “In case, there's a deserve to extend the numbers in the same way, we're ready with a backup plan for that too.”
The official also said that the doubling of rail lines between Varanasi and Jhusi has been completed while the Prayagraj-Rambagh-Jhusi and the Janghai-Phaphamau line are expected to be ready tons earlier than the foundation of the Kumbh Mela.
(With PTI inputs)
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