New Delhi, February 10: As the Maghi Purnima Snan approaches on February 12, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed that the Indian Railways has made extensive arrangements across eight railway stations for the ongoing Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Vaishnaw conducted an inspection at the Prayagraj Railway Station on Monday to assess the preparations.
Vaishnaw Highlights Coordinated Efforts
Minister Vaishnaw assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to ensure a smooth transportation experience for the millions of devotees attending the Mahakumbh. “Railways has taken care of all the arrangements at 8 railway stations for Prayagraj Mahakumbh. Along with the state administration, everything is being done in a very coordinated way,” he stated.
He also shared a glimpse into the operational success, stating, “Yesterday, 330 trains left Prayagraj Junction, and even today, trains are running in an orderly manner. If someone tries to spread rumours, we don’t want to listen to them. Everything is going on in a systematic manner.”
Operational Details from Railway Officials
Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of the Information & Publicity Department of Railway Board, elaborated on the scale of operations. Over 13,000 railway personnel have been deployed at various stations in the Sangam Kshetra. Special trains are running to cater to the large influx of devotees.
“Yesterday, 12.5 lakh devotees departed in 330 trains. Today, more than 140 trains have already been operated,” Kumar said. Further enhancing safety, 1200 CCTV cameras have been installed at the stations, including cameras with face-recognition technology and Artificial Intelligence for enhanced monitoring. The monitoring of these feeds is being conducted at five levels, and control rooms have been set up at all stations.
President Droupadi Murmu Visits Prayagraj
In another significant development, President Droupadi Murmu took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj on Monday, marking her participation in the Mahakumbh 2025 celebrations. The President was warmly received by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath upon her arrival.
After the holy dip, President Murmu offered prayers at the Triveni Sangam, which is the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati River. She also fed migratory birds at the Sangam, adding to the significance of her visit.
Massive Participation in Maha Kumbh 2025
The Maha Kumbh 2025 has already witnessed an enormous turnout, with over 8.42 million devotees taking a holy dip on Sunday alone. To date, over 420 million people have participated in the spiritual gathering, making it the largest in the world. The event, which began on Paush Purnima (January 13), will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26.
The Maha Kumbh 2025 is expected to set new records for participation, drawing pilgrims from around the world to Prayagraj, cementing its status as the largest spiritual and cultural gathering globally.