Indian Railways has made considerable preparations to serve a huge footfall of pilgrims who are expected to attend Prayagraj's Maha Kumbh in 2025. If reports are to go by, around INR 5,000 crore has been set aside by the government to manage the enormous influx of pilgrims and upgrade railway infrastructure. Also, to facilitate smooth travel during this important event, Union Minister Jitendra Singh ordered the creation of special train services, including three Katra-Prayagraj trains.
The railways have placed a strong focus on expanding train services and enhancing station facilities. To accommodate the large passenger volume, more than 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special services, will be in operation. Reports reveal that major cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Bihar, and Jharkhand will be connected to Prayagraj through these routes. Additionally, new measures to improve passenger safety and comfort include the installation of 1,146 CCTV cameras at stations and upgraded sanitation facilities.
Key train services announced
On January 24, 2025, the first special Katra-Prayagraj train will leave from the station of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. Furthermore, special services have been introduced by regional railways.
Here are all the details:
Western Railway: 98 special trains with advanced passenger amenities.
Northern Railway: 300 trains, including 80 special services.
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10 most dangerous countries for solo female travellersSpecial trains from Odisha:
- Bhubaneswar-Tundla: Wednesdays until February 26
- Puri-Tundla: Mondays until February 17
- Titilagarh-Tundla: Thursdays until February 27
- Visakhapatnam-Gorakhpur: Sundays until February 16
Mahakumbh train routes from major cities
Special trains will operate from various cities to Prayagraj, ensuring smooth travel:
- Delhi to Prayagraj: Route via New Delhi, Agra, and Kanpur.
- Kolkata to Prayagraj: Route via Howrah, Asansol, and Patna.
- Bihar and Jharkhand: Direct trains from Patna, Darbhanga, and Ranchi.
Bandra Terminus to Gorakhpur:
- Train no - 05054: Departs Bandra Terminus every Saturday at 9:20 PM, reaching Gorakhpur on Monday at 6:45 AM.
- Train no - 05053: Returns from Gorakhpur every Friday at 7:50 AM, arriving at Bandra Terminus the next day at 6:00 PM.
Additional special train services
- Train no - 7708: Azamgarh-Maula Ali: January 20 and February 23
- Train no - 7711: Maula Ali-Gaya: January 19 and January 21
- Train no - 7712: Guntur-Gaya: January 25 and January 27
- Train no - 7722: Nanded-Patna: January 22 and January 24
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To enhance connectivity, ring rail services will operate on key routes:
- Prayagraj-Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj
- Prayagraj-Sangam Prayag-Jaunpur-Prayag-Prayagraj
- Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Chitrakoot-Govindpuri
- Jhansi-Govindpuri-Prayagraj-Manikpur-Chitrakoot-Jhansi
Key dates and passenger services
The Maha Kumbh commenced with sacred bathing rituals on January 14, January 29, and February 3, concluding on February 26. Devotees can conveniently book special train tickets via the IRCTC website and app, with priority given to group reservations. To enhance the pilgrimage experience, Indian Railways has set up help desks, food stalls, and medical assistance facilities at stations, ensuring a seamless and fulfilling journey for all travelers.