Indian Railways Successfully Operates Over 16,000 Trains for Maha Kumbh, Facilitating 5 Crore Devotees

Prayagraj, February 27: The Indian Railways played a pivotal role in the recently concluded Maha Kumbh 2025, operating more than 16,000 trains to transport around five crore pilgrims to and from the sacred event, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Thursday.

Addressing railway workers in Prayagraj, Vaishnaw lauded their efforts in managing the massive influx of devotees. Comparing the numbers with the 2019 Kumbh Mela, he noted a fourfold increase in the number of trains operated.

"This time, we had initially planned to operate more than three times as many trains as in 2019, but we exceeded expectations by running four times as many. The preparations for this began two-and-a-half years ago," Vaishnaw stated.

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Highlighting the seamless coordination between central and state agencies, the minister credited the success of the railway operations to the dedicated workforce.

"The biggest achievement of this Maha Kumbh was the united efforts of all departments. This kind of teamwork ensures success, and if we continue like this, no challenge can defeat us," he said.

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₹5,000 Crore Investment and Infrastructure Upgrades​

To enhance the rail infrastructure for the Maha Kumbh, Indian Railways invested ₹5,000 crore in key projects, which included:

• Construction of more than 21 flyovers and underpasses.
• A new bridge over the River Ganga.
• Establishment of holding areas at major stations for crowd management.
• Development of new foot overbridges to ease passenger movement.

With meticulous planning and execution, Indian Railways ensured smooth and efficient travel for millions of devotees during the Maha Kumbh, which commenced on January 13 and concluded on February 26 in Prayagraj.