Preparations Intensify at Varanasi Railway Station for Maha Kumbh Mela Passenger Influx
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Varanasi, Jan 8 (NationPress) With the Maha Kumbh Mela scheduled to commence on January 13 in Prayagraj, Varanasi Railway Station is gearing up to handle the predicted influx of travelers. The station is bracing for a substantial increase in passenger traffic, implementing plans for new amenities aimed at providing a seamless experience for those attending this revered event.
To accommodate the anticipated surge of pilgrims, the Indian Railway has nearly finished constructing a new shelter home adjacent to the Varanasi Railway Station.
Covering an area of 4000 sq. ft. (divided into two segments of 2000 sq. ft.), the shelter home will offer vital services including medical support, ticketing facilities, and waiting zones for travelers. These initiatives are designed to ensure that passengers awaiting trains during this busy season do not encounter unnecessary hardships.
In a conversation with IANS, Arpit Gupta, the Station Superintendent of Varanasi Cantt, mentioned, "We typically experience a daily footfall of 80,000 to 1 lakh passengers. However, during the peak days of the Maha Kumbh, we expect this figure to rise to between 1.25 to 1.5 lakh. To manage this, we have established two holding areas—one at our city site and another at our cantt site—both capable of accommodating 2,000 passengers. The facilities will feature a public announcement system, medical teams, Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), help desks, and LED screens to assist passengers in navigating the station efficiently."
The station has also organized automatic ticket machines and mobile UTS (Unreserved Ticketing System) units, ensuring that travelers can conveniently purchase tickets, thereby enhancing their travel experience during this peak period.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, which will run from January 13 to February 26, is a significant Hindu festival that takes place every twelve years, attracting millions of pilgrims to Prayagraj.
Devotees converge to partake in a sacred dip at the Triveni Sangam, where the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati are believed to meet. This grand occasion, deeply entrenched in Hindu mythology, is recognized as the world's largest religious congregation, providing participants a chance for spiritual cleansing and liberation.
The Kumbh Mela is a tradition rooted in ancient history, associated with the mythological Samudra Manthan, during which drops of the nectar of immortality are said to have fallen at four locations—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain. With the countdown to the 2025 event now in progress, both Varanasi and Prayagraj are preparing to welcome the millions anticipated to join this sacred assembly.
