Lok Sabha Question No. 3213 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-19
Subject: Special Trains for Mahakumbha
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3213 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.03.2025

## SPECIAL TRAINS FOR MAHAKUMBHA

## 3213. SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Railways  announced  178  special  trains  for Mahakumbha  from  different  zones  during  Prayagraj's  Mahakumbha 2025;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  Rs.  5,000  crore  was  allotted  for  infrastructure  upgrades and special services to Prayagraj's Mahakumbha in 2025 therefor;
- (c)  whether it is  also a  fact that Government fails to provide security and confirm tickets to manage the enormous influx of pilgrims and upgrade railway infrastructure thereof, if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the reports on railway passengers movement, with train details, delays and  safety  failures  if  any,  reported  during  the  period  of  Mahakumbha and action taken by the Government thereon and complaints received on toll-free helpline number 139 and emails therein?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) and (b) To cater to the needs of passengers and facilitate their journey during  Maha  Kumbh-2025,  Indian  Railways  (IR)  had  operated  more  than 17,300 nos. trains which included 7484 Special trains.  These Special trains include 996 long distance trains. All these measures served approximately 4.24  crore  passengers.    During  Kumbh  2019,  8394  trains  were  operated which included 694 special train services.

Infrastructure improvement

Infrastructure  improvement/augmentation/capacity  enhancement  works,  of more than ₹5,000 cr have been completed. Commissioning of entire Eastern

Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) enabled movement of goods trains on DFC thus freeing up space for running additional Kumbh special trains along the Delhi-Howrah route. The doubling of  Prayagraj-Varanasi and Phaphamau-Janghai, including the construction  of  a  major  bridge  across  the  River  Ganga,  was  completed. Major  upgradation  of  yards  including  those  at  Prayagraj,  Subedarganj, Phaphamau, Rambag, and Jhunsi, have been made to accommodate a larger number of trains. Additionally,  three  new  washing  lines  and  21  Nos.    Road  Over  Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) have been built thus eliminating all level crossings in the region for improved mobility of road users. Passenger Amenities To  improve  the  tourism  infrastructure  and  to  ensure  easy  access  and comfortable experience to domestic and international pilgrims at Prayagraj, Naini, Prayagraj Cheoki, Subedarganj, Jhusi, Prayagraj Rambag, Prayag and Phaphamau  stations,  various  works  have  been  carried  out  as  per  the requirement. These works include improvement to circulating area, parking, Divyangjan facilities,  signages,  platform  surfacing,  construction  of  drinking  water booths, Ashray Kendras, toilets, widening of approach roads, development of second entries and construction of foot over bridges etc. Additional  food  and  refreshment  arrangements  were  made  to  cater  to  the large volume of passengers. Furthermore, waiting rooms at railway stations have been upgraded and enhanced for better comfort. For  the  first  time,  Yatri  Suvidha  Kendras  was  established  at  Prayagraj as wheelchairs,  luggage  trolleys,  hotel  and  taxi  bookings,  baby  milk,  and

Junction and Prayagraj Chheoki, offering essential services such essential medicines.

To avoid delays, ticketing capacity increased to issue up to 10 lakh tickets per  day.  A  four-stage  power  backup  plan  was  implemented  to  ensure continuous power. First  Aid  booths  and  medical  observation  rooms  were  set  up  across stations.  Additionally,  a  railway  toll-free  number  was  made  available  for passenger convenience, and a multi-lingual leaflet in 12 languages is being distributed to assist pilgrims in navigating the event. Health

Sufficient medical facilities have been provided at the various stations for the well being of pilgrims.

(c)  and  (d)  On  Indian  Railways,  occupancy  pattern  of  the  trains  is  not uniform  throughout  the  year  and  it  varies  over  lean  and  peak  periods. During peak rush periods, the occupancy of the trains especially on popular routes remains full whereas during lean period and -on -less popular routes, there  is  sub  optimal  utilization.    Traffic  pattern  of  the  trains  running  on Indian  Railways  is  monitored  on  regular  basis  and  to  cater  to  additional demand, load of existing trains are augmented, special trains are run, new trains are introduced, frequency of existing trains is increased etc. subject to operational feasibility.

Comprehensive  Security  arrangements  for  Maha  Kumbh,  2025  were  made with an emphasis on crowd regulation, surveillance and real-time monitoring.  A  total  of  approx.  1200  CCTV  cameras,  including  116  Facial Recognition System (FRS) cameras were used to monitor crowd and track potential miscreants. Drone cameras were also deployed for surveillance of tracks  and  crowd  management  at  approach  roads  to  stations.  15,000 Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  &  Govt.  Railway  Police  (GRP)  personnel were deployed to ensure security at Railway stations in Prayagraj.

Besides  above,    the  following  steps  were  taken  by  the  Railways  in coordination  with  GRP/Local  Police  and  other  stakeholders  for  safety  and security of peoples in view of Mahakumbh, 2025:-

1. Track  patrolling  across  a  stretch  of  35  KMs  from  Karchana  to  Manauri station using drones & CCTVs were done.
2. Screening  of  passengers  &  their  luggage  were  done  using  baggage scanners, metal detectors and dog squads.
3. 'Meri  Saheli'  teams  comprising  of  women  security  personnel  were deployed at stations and in trains to ensure women's safety.
4. Awareness campaigns were conducted at station premises using video displays,  Public  Address  System  and  loud  hailers  covering  various security  issues  and  to  encourage  passengers  to  report  suspicious activities.
5. Bomb Detection teams of RPF were deployed to enhance overall security infrastructure.
6. Inter Agency coordination was made to collect intelligence inputs.
7. Additional  enclosures  were  made  to  hold  rush  of  passengers  and  their regulated entry to platforms & while boarding trains.
8. Close coordination was made with State police & GRP to restrict criminal activities over the railway infrastructure.
9. CCTV cameras were monitored 24x7 in CCTV control room.
10. Rapid  Action  Teams  were  formed  and  stationed  at  key  locations  for quick response.
11. A  response plan was developed to handle potential incidents swiftly and  effectively  in  coordination  with  state  police,  intelligence  units  and other railway departments at stations in Prayagraj.

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