Prayagraj,

26 Nov (HS): The Government Railway Police (GRP) has intensified its

preparations to ensure a safe and smooth Magh Mela, which begins on January 3,

2026, with the first bathing festival of Paush Purnima in Prayagraj. On

Wednesday, ADG GRP Prakash D arrived in Prayagraj and conducted a comprehensive

review of railway security arrangements related to the Magh Mela. A meeting

with RPF and GRP officers was held at the SP GRP office, after which the ADG

conducted a site inspection of Prayagraj Junction.

ADG

Prakash D stated that during the Magh Mela, millions of devotees from across

the country arrive at the Sangam city, ensuring their safe journey is a top

priority. He added that the GRP has prepared a detailed action plan to ensure

the success of the 2025 Mahakumbh. Tight security arrangements are being made

at all nine railway stations under the Prayagraj division. Station platforms

will be color-coded, similar to the Mahakumbh, to ensure effective crowd

management.

In

case of increased crowds, holding areas will be created along the lines of

Khusro Bagh, where drinking water, restrooms, and seating facilities will be

available for passengers. For the convenience of rail passengers, signage will

be installed from the fair area to the railway stations, while special

arrangements are also being made for multi-language announcements at the

stations.

In

light of the recent bomb blasts in Delhi, state-of-the-art equipment will be

used to further strengthen security. High-tech security systems are being

installed at entry points, while the entire route and station premises will be

fully covered with CCTV cameras. The ADG also stated that a meeting with the

General Manager of North Central Railway will be held soon to finalize a joint

strategy.

Additional

police force has also been requested for fair duty. The personnel coming from

outside will receive special training, which will focus on communication with

pilgrims, behavior, and a cooperative work style. The ADG appealed to the

pilgrims to follow the instructions of the police and GRP.

The

security of devotees is the biggest challenge at a massive event like the Magh

Mela. Keeping this in mind, ADG Railway Prakash D conducted a thorough

inspection of Prayagraj Junction on Wednesday. He clearly stated that a large

additional police force is being called in during the fair, and will be

deployed everywhere, from the station to the circulating area and along the

station route.

ADG

Prakash D. visited every location, from platform number 1 to the passenger

waiting room, and inquired from officials about each and every arrangement. He

informed them that a planning control room has been completed in Khusro Bagh.

State-of-the-art cameras with face recognition technology have also been

installed, which will immediately detect any suspicious face in the crowd.

ADG

Prakash D assured us that we are fully prepared. The additional forces coming

from outside will ensure the Magh Mela is completely safe. My visit today was

solely to ensure that no shortcomings were left. He was accompanied by GRP SP

Prashant Verma, senior RPF officers, and railway officials.

Station

Director BK Dwivedi said that to manage the crowds, several major trains, such

as the Prayagraj Express and Humsafar Express, will now operate from

Subedarganj. This will reduce pressure on the main junction. Similar to the

Maha Kumbh Mela, elaborate arrangements have been made for holding areas,

additional counters, water, and sanitation.

This

visit by ADG Railway Prakash D. and the decision to call in reinforcements from

outside clearly demonstrates that this year's Magh Mela will not only be a

devotional event but also impenetrable from a security perspective. Devotees

come without worry—your safety is now in even stronger hands.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi