Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday that a significant investment of Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated over the past three years for the redevelopment of railway stations in and around Prayagraj, ahead of the Maha Kumbh Mela in 2025.
During a press conference, Vaishnaw highlighted, “Over the last three years, we have completed the redevelopment of all railway stations near Prayagraj, with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore. This development will allow us to evacuate over 1 crore people in a single day, compared to the previous capacity of 40 lakh. We have also created holding areas for devotees before they move to the platforms, and a Railway Board war room has been set up to ensure smooth operations.”
Vaishnaw further shared that under the leadership of the Modi government, the railway budget has seen a significant increase, rising from Rs 96 crore to Rs 582 crore. “Ten years ago, under the UPA government, Delhi’s railway budget allocation was just Rs 96 crore. Today, it stands at Rs 582 crore, reflecting a 27% increase. Numerous new projects have been initiated, including the redevelopment of 13 stations in Delhi. For instance, Safdarjung Station will be transformed into a G7-level station, while the Brijwasan station will serve as a terminal for trains bound for western India. Hazrat Nizamuddin station, crucial for south-bound travel, is also undergoing upgrades.”
The railways are running 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special ones, to facilitate the smooth arrival of devotees to Prayagraj.
The Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest gatherings in the world, witnessed an overwhelming turnout on Makar Sankranti, with millions of devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganges at the Sangam. Expected to attract around 450 million people, this grand event serves as an extraordinary platform to highlight India’s cultural, spiritual, and tourism potential.
Key ‘snaan’ dates for the event include January 14 (Makar Sankranti – First Shahi Snan), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima), and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
