Ahmedabad | All such departments and agencies performed their roles in the huge event of Mahakumbh on the confluence of the Ocean Prayag Tirtha of Faith, but the Railways’s role in it is undoubtedly a pioneer. In this huge event, the way the Railways helped pilgrims from all over the country to reach the Punyabhoomi of Prayag, it is not only unprecedented, but has also made a unique record in many cases in terms of rail operations. Although Mahakumbh is now on the conclusion, but according to an estimate, 12 to 15 crore pilgrims took advantage of the train journey somewhere in this event of about one and a half months. In other words, a quarter of pilgrims about Mahakumbh took help of trains in reaching Prayagraj or major cities of the next side. This time the Railways went ahead and played a role in fulfilling Prayagraj’s resolve to make Mahakumbh divine and grand. Needless to tell how much pressure is on railway in its country with the largest population of the world. In such a situation, the railway was busy in embodimenting its action plan long before the Mahakumbh was organized. Under this, it was planned to operate trains according to the estimated number of pilgrims from different parts of the country. Also, an emergency plan was also prepared in the event of increasing crowd during Mahakumbh. In view of the crowd in trains on normal days, the Railways adopted special measures for this. Under this, special arrangements were made to remove pressure at any one route, train or large station. According to the number and demand of pilgrims, special trains were run one after the other. The figure also amazed a little that from the beginning of Mahakumbh, 13,667 trains reached Prayagraj and its other stations with pilgrims. Of these, 3,468 special trains started from Kumbh area, and 2008 trains came from outside the Kumbh area. The remaining 8,211 were regular trains. The city has a total of nine stations including Prayagraj, where trains have moved. Devotees got the benefit of five thousand trains at Prayagraj station alone. From which station in Prayagraj area, how many trains were received (in this, some trains stopped at many stations and took the devotees.
