No special trains for Kumbh have been canceled:
According to top railway officials, no special train for Prayagraj Kumbh Mela has been canceled. All special train operations will continue as planned.
Railway Board Public Relations Officer, Dilip Kumar, addressed the rumors about train cancellations to Prayagraj, stating that after a stampede-like incident occurred post-midnight at the Kumbh, a couple of trains were temporarily regulated. The situation is now normalized, meaning some trains were held momentarily.
Temporarily, a few trains were held, but there is no plan to make any changes now. Today, we have a plan to operate more trains, and we are working accordingly by directing all trains towards the Prayag region so passengers do not face any hardships, allowing maximum travelers to return home.
We are working according to the comprehensive plan created for this Kumbh Mela. Today is Mauni Amavasya, a day we anticipated more unreserved class trains to operate post the holy dip so more people can travel back home.
The Railway Board Public Relations Officer added, for the first time in 144 years, the Mahakumbh is happening. Such events require patience. Everyone should patiently participate and bathe in the Kumbh, a holy area at the confluence. If rumors spread, do not pay attention. Use your discretion, intelligence, and follow your faith's principles when taking a dip and proceed to your destinations intelligently.
Earlier, Manish Kumar, the Commercial Manager of Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Rail Division, informed 'Operations of Mahakumbh Mela special trains from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction to Prayagraj have been stopped until further notice. Regular trains will run as usual.' There was talk of halting special trains due to large crowds and the resulting chaos around Mauni Amavasya in Prayagraj.
Meanwhile, after the stampede incident at the Prayagraj Kumbh, the administration is on high alert. Deployment of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and increased police presence at Prayagraj Junction have been actioned. In terms of pilgrim safety, stringent measures have been taken. Special arrangements ensure the safe passage of pilgrims arriving for the Mauni Amavasya bath to and from the confluence.
Thus far, over 130 million pilgrims have bathed at the confluence during the Mahakumbh. Nearly 100 million pilgrims arrived for the sacred bath on Mauni Amavasya. Since January 25, around a million travelers are arriving daily for the Mahakumbh. To ensure the safety and smooth exit of such a large number of pilgrims, Prayagraj Rail Division has implemented special plans and some restrictions across all city stations, effective from the day before Mauni Amavasya until two days after.
Entrance to Prayagraj Junction on the day of the Mauni Amavasya bath is only through the city-side door and Platform No.1. Exits are through Civil Lines and towards Platform Number 6.
Reserved passengers, who have pre-booked tickets, will be given separate entry through Gate Number Five on the city side, while unreserved passengers will enter through direction-wise color-coded shelters.
According to the statement, unreserved ticket counters, ATVMs, and mobile ticketing will be available only at shelters for ticketing. To manage the extra burden of the crowd, accommodations planning for up to 100,000 people are set up at Khusro Bagh.
At Naini Junction during the Mauni Amavasya festival, entry is through the Station Road and exits via the warehouse direction. Similarly, reserved passengers have a separate entry through Gate Number Two, while at Prayagraj Cheoki Station, entrance is only via COD Road connecting the Prayagraj-Mirzapur Highway, and exits are through GEC Naini Road.
Reserved passengers will enter through Gate Number 2. At Subedarganj Station, entry is from Jhalwa, Kaushambi Road, while the exit is on GT Road. It is stated that reserved passengers will enter through Gate Number 3. Unreserved passengers will find direction-wise ‘color-coded’ shelters at all stations from where they will be guided to platforms according to the color of their ticket, boarding several regular and special Mela trains to reach their destination stations.
