Guwahati, 19th February (HS):

Indian Railways has undertaken a massive logistical effort to ensure the smooth travel of millions of pilgrims attending Maha Kumbh 2025, the world’s largest religious gathering. Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the Chief Public Relations Officer of NFR informed on Wednesday that with a record 53 crore sacred baths performed so far, the Railways has invested ₹5,000 crore in infrastructure upgrades, additional train services, and advanced crowd management to provide a safe and efficient pilgrimage experience.

Indian Railways has undertaken extensive railway operations to accommodate the unprecedented influx of pilgrims during Maha Kumbh 2025, ensuring smooth and efficient transportation. A total of 13,000 trains have been planned, with 12,583 already operated, facilitating seamless travel for millions of devotees. Since 13th January 2025, over 3.09 crore pilgrims have travelled via rail, making it one of the largest logistical undertakings. To prioritize passenger movement, all goods trains have been diverted to the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) to free up passenger rail networks.

To enhance passenger facilities, Indian Railways has undertaken significant infrastructure upgrades, including the modernization of 9 railway stations, the addition of 48 new platforms and 21 Foot over Bridges, and the installation of 1,186 CCTV cameras to enhance security. Ticketing has been streamlined with 554 ticketing points, including 151 mobile UTS counters, to reduce congestion. Additionally, a color-coded navigation system has been introduced to help pilgrims reach their destinations effortlessly.

In terms of security and crowd management, Indian Railways has deployed a robust force of 13,000 Railway Protection Force personnel, 10,000 Government Railway Police & paramilitary staff, and over 3,000 running staff to ensure smooth train operations. Control rooms have been established at stations, divisions, zones, and Railway Board levels to enable real-time monitoring and manage crowd flow efficiently.

With millions of devotees arriving daily, these comprehensive measures reinforce Indian Railways’ commitment to providing a safe, comfortable, and well-organized pilgrimage experience during this grand spiritual gathering.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash