Special Correspondent
Pune : Union Minister of Railways, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, has inaugurated several key initiatives to enhance Indian Railways’ readiness for Maha Kumbh 2025 in the Prayagraj region. These measures aim to provide safe, seamless, and technologically advanced services for millions of pilgrims.
Key Announcements and Inaugurations:
1. Launch of the Kumbh War Room:
• A dedicated War Room at the Railway Board level has been inaugurated.
• The War Room will operate 24×7, with officials from Operations, Commercial, RPF, Mechanical, Engineering, and Electrical departments monitoring and coordinating activities.
• 1,176 CCTV cameras installed at 9 stations in the Prayagraj region will provide live feeds for real-time monitoring.
• Monitoring structure:
• Platform → Station → Divisional → District → Zonal → Railway Board.
• The War Room will facilitate effective coordination between district authorities and railway officials, ensuring immediate assistance and operational efficiency.
2. Multilingual Communication Systems:
• 12-language announcement system inaugurated at Prayagraj, Naini, Cheoki, and Subedarganj stations to assist pilgrims.
• Launch of a facilitation booklet in 22 languages, providing essential information for pilgrims.
Passenger Amenities in Prayagraj Region:
1. Rail Network Enhancements:
• A total of 13,000 trains will operate during the Kumbh period:
• 10,000 regular trains.
• 3,134 special trains (4.5 times more than the previous Kumbh):
• 1,869 short-distance trains.
• 706 long-distance trains.
• 559 ring trains.
• Freight trains have been diverted to Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFC) to ensure smooth passenger train operations.
• An investment of ₹5,000 crore has been made over the past three years for Kumbh-related projects.
2. Expanded Passenger Facilities:
• 48 platforms and 21 Foot Over Bridges (FoBs).
• 23 permanent holding areas with a combined capacity of over 1 lakh pilgrims.
• 554 ticketing counters, including 151 mobile UTS counters.
• 21 ROBs/RUBs to enhance road and rail mobility.
• 12-language announcement systems implemented across all 9 key stations.
3. Major Infrastructure Projects:
• Infrastructure development worth ₹3,700 crore includes:
• Banaras-Prayagraj doubling project (including the Ganga Bridge).
• Phaphamau-Janghai doubling project.
Pilgrim Numbers and Preparations:
• 40 crore pilgrims are expected to visit during Maha Kumbh 2025.
• 5 crore pilgrims are anticipated on Mauni Amavasya alone.
• To manage the crowd:
• 1,176 CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring.
• 23 holding areas with a capacity of over 1 lakh people.
• Special color-coded tickets and barcode-enabled UTS systems have been introduced for smoother operations.
These initiatives aim to ensure a safe, efficient, and technology-driven experience for pilgrims during Maha Kumbh 2025, underscoring Indian Railways’ commitment to cultural and infrastructural excellence.
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