40 Crore Pilgrims Expected at Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj: Official

Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj: The Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is expected to draw a massive crowd of around 40 crore people, posing a significant challenge for crowd management.

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of North Central Railway, Shashikant Tripathi told ANI, "... The Civil Administration has given us an estimate that around 40 crore people will reach Prayagraj during the Kumbh Mela... Crowd management is a big subject for us." In response to this immense crowd, authorities have set up 150,000 toilets, 68,000 LED lights, and community kitchens capable of serving 50,000 people simultaneously.

Mr Tripathi also mentioned that the North Central Railway has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure a smooth and safe experience for pilgrims.

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"We will keep the movement of the people uni-directional to avoid any cris-cross movement. Passengers will be taken to 'Yatri-Kendra' before going to their respective platforms to avoid confusion and unnecessary congestion on the platforms.," said Tripathi.

Indian Railways, he added, will operate 13,000 trains, including 10,000 regular services and 3,000 special trains, to manage the massive influx of visitors.

He further stated, "During the Kumbh Mela, we will run 13,000 trains. There are around 700 Mela special trains for long-distance. Around 1,800 short-distance trains will operate for 200-300 kilometres. We are also running a ring rail for those who want to go to Chitrakoot, Banaras and Ayodhya, including Prayagraj."

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Deeply rooted in Hindu mythology, the Kumbh Mela is believed to offer spiritual cleansing. Bathing at the Sangam, where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers meet, is thought to cleanse sins and grant moksha, liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Response Force on Saturday held a mock drill with local agencies for a smooth organisation of the event, it said in a statement.

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