Preparations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj are in full swing. A meeting chaired by GM of North Central Railway, Upendra Chandra Joshi, discussed crowd control, development projects, and special train arrangements. The railway is undertaking various projects worth approximately 933 crores, aiming to complete all work by November 2024....
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The railway plans to issue around 10 lakh tickets daily for pilgrims. NCR, NR, and NER will collaborate to operate approximately 900 special trains to transport pilgrims back from Prayagraj. Additional trains will be operated if needed. The capacity of all nine stations has been increased for crowd control, with enhanced passenger facilities, new platforms, foot overbridges, passenger shelters, and a three to four-fold increase in CCTV cameras. The commissioner, Vijay Vishwas Pant, suggested widening entrance and exit gates at stations near the Mela area, ensuring uniform and non-slippery steps. ADG Zone Bhanu Bhaskar emphasized the importance of communication during the event, recommending tried and tested methods. The meeting was attended by various officials, including the CP, Additional General Manager, IG, DIG Railway, DM, SSP Maha Kumbh, Colonel HQ, VC, Nagar Ayukt, Defense State Officer, DCP Traffic, Project Director NHAI, Chief Engineer UP Power Corporation, Chief Engineer PWD, Chief Project Manager UP Setu Nigam, and Regional Manager UPSRTC. The Mela Adhikari, Vijay Kiran Anand, proposed forming a team at each station to tackle rumors and ensure sufficient special trains for Ayodhya and Varanasi. He also emphasized the need for an inter and intra-departmental communication plan to avoid confusion and address rumors.