The Indian Railways, in collaboration with state government agencies and various stakeholders, successfully managed the massive influx of pilgrims during the recently concluded Mahakumbh 2025. With an unprecedented number of devotees attending the event, the Railways played a crucial role in ensuring smooth transportation, safety, and convenience for all passengers.

According to government sources, a total of 66 crore pilgrims attended the Kumbh Mela, of which 4.24 crore passengers were handled at the nine Kumbh railway stations in Prayagraj.

To accommodate the heavy rush, Indian Railways operated 17,152 trains, surpassing the initially planned 13,000 trains. This included 7,667 special trains and 9,485 regular trains—four times more than the last Kumbh. Over 200 rakes were deployed in the Kumbh area, equipped with engines on both sides to eliminate time-consuming shunting operations. Additionally, parcel traffic was restricted during Mahakumbh to ensure smooth passenger movement.

As part of a significant infrastructure push, Rs 5,000 crore worth of development work was undertaken over the last three years in the Mahakumbh area. This massive project included upgrading nine railway stations in the Prayagraj area with extensive passenger amenities. Each of these nine key railway stations was provided with a second entry point for easier access. The stations collectively boasted 48 platforms and 21 foot-over bridges (FOBs) to facilitate smooth passenger movement.

To enhance safety and security, the stations were equipped with 1,186 CCTV cameras, 10% of which featured facial recognition technology. Additionally, drones were deployed for surveillance and crowd monitoring.

Furthermore, 23 permanent holding areas were created to manage large crowds.

"Announcements in 12 languages, including Marathi, Gujarati, and other regional languages, were made, along with information leaflets in 23 languages, including southern languages. A total of 554 ticket counters, including 151 mobile UTS counters and QR-based ticketing facilities, were set up. To improve road and rail mobility, 21 new road-over bridges (ROBs) and road-under bridges (RUBs) were constructed.

To ensure robust crowd management and security, a five-tier monitoring system was implemented. This system covered platforms, stations, divisions, zonal offices, and the Railway Board's war room," said an Indian Railways official.

"Over 13,000 additional staff were deployed to manage the massive crowd. This included two battalions of the Railway Protection Special Force (RPSF), 22 dog squads for security, over 1,000 sanitation workers, more than 1,500 TTEs and booking staff, and over 3,000 running staff, including drivers, guards, and assistant drivers," he added.

To facilitate the smooth movement of pilgrims, fixed barricading and segregated pathways at critical stations were provided. Color-coded tickets and designated holding areas improved passenger navigation.

Railway manpower was deployed 24/7, with extra staff on duty during peak hours. Scouts and Guide volunteers assisted passengers at key railway stations during Mahakumbh. Live monitoring through WhatsApp groups enabled real-time coordination with state authorities.

The Railways provided medical assistance to over 3 lakh pilgrims, with ambulances, fire brigades, and mobile toilets arranged in collaboration with civil authorities. Basic medical facilities and first-aid centers were set up at railway stations.

Catering services at stations and circulating areas were expanded, and special mela trains were arranged based on demand. Temporary halts for regular mail and express trains were also provided to facilitate boarding and deboarding for pilgrims.

According to a senior Railway Board official, app-based deployment and rest arrangements for additional railway staff were made. To ensure seamless coordination, Indian Railways worked closely with the Chief Secretary, DGP, District Collectors, SPs, magistrates, and local police. A central help desk was set up at major stations and holding areas, while regular announcements via PA systems and megaphones helped guide passengers.

The Railways also played a crucial role in infrastructure development, assisting stakeholders in completing track linking of the last 34 km in the Varanasi-Prayagraj section in just a month.

"With record-breaking numbers and seamless execution, Indian Railways once again proved its capability in handling large-scale events. The successful operation during Mahakumbh 2025 stands as a testament to meticulous planning, a dedicated workforce, and efficient coordination with state authorities," said the official.

Western Railway Operated 125 Special Train Trips

According to Western Railway, approximately 15 crore pilgrims traveled by train during this one-and-a-half-month event. Nearly one-fourth of the Maha Kumbh pilgrims used rail transport to reach Prayagraj or nearby major cities. Western Railway operated 125 special train trips from various stations, including Mumbai Central, Vapi, Valsad, Udhna, Vadodara, Vishwamitri, Ahmedabad, Sabarmati, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, and Indore, to cater to the massive rush of pilgrims.

A total of 26 Kumbh Special train trips were operated from the Mumbai Central Division, 24 from the Ahmedabad Division, 8 from the Bhavnagar Division, 4 from the Rajkot Division, 2 from the Vadodara Division, and 6 from the Ratlam Division.

These special trains operated to Prayagraj and other nearby railway stations, carrying an estimated 1.70 lakh pilgrims.

Central Railway’s Key Role

Central Railway also played a pivotal role in ensuring smooth and hassle-free travel for devotees attending Maha Kumbh 2025. Through a well-planned and extensive train service network, lakhs of devotees traveled comfortably to one of the world's largest religious gatherings.

From January 8 to February 20, 2025, a total of 823 train services were operated from Mumbai alone, including 708 services from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and 115 from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), facilitating the journey of Kumbh Mela pilgrims.

Apart from Mumbai, the Pune region contributed significantly by operating 102 train services, including six special trains. Meanwhile, Nagpur station witnessed 225 train services, including six special trains, catering to thousands of devotees.

Key Measures Implemented:

Adequate holding areas spanning 20 acres were set up at critical stations.

Fixed barricading, segregated pathways, and signages were provided for smooth passenger movement.

24x7 intensive deployment of railway manpower, with increased staff presence during peak hours.

Scout and Guide volunteers assisted in crowd management.

Coordination with key officials, including the Chief Secretary, DGP, District Collectors, SPs, magistrates, and local police, ensured smooth operations.

WhatsApp groups enabled real-time monitoring of crowd inflow, bus movements, and vehicular traffic.

Additional ticketing arrangements, including portable UTS counters, were introduced in holding areas.

Regular announcements were made via PA systems and megaphones across stations and platforms.

Special Mela trains were operated as needed to manage the rush.

Extra halts were provided for regular mail and express trains to facilitate easy boarding and deboarding.

A five-tier coordination system ensured smooth execution at platform, station, division, zonal railway, and Railway Board (war room) levels.

CCTV monitoring was conducted at platforms, FOBs, entry/exit points, and holding areas.

A central help desk was established at inquiry counters and in holding areas.

Parcel traffic was restricted to ensure uninterrupted passenger movement.

App-based staff deployment facilitated efficient workforce management and rest arrangements.

With meticulous planning and flawless execution, Indian Railways has once again demonstrated its ability to handle large-scale events efficiently, ensuring a safe and smooth travel experience for millions of pilgrims during Mahakumbh 2025.