- By Priyanka Koul
- Mon, 13 Jan 2025 10:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Maha Kumbh 2025: The first bathing day of Maha Kumbh 2025 in Prayagraj saw a huge turnout of devotees on Paush Purnima. Special transport arrangements, including thousands of buses, hundreds of trains, and dozens of flights, were organised to ensure smooth travel for visitors from across the country.
Massive Transport Arrangements for Maha Kumbh
Devotees from all directions arrived at Prayagraj via a well-coordinated transport network. Prayagraj Airport recorded the movement of 32 flights, while three zonal railways collectively operated 344 trains, including daily and Kumbh-special services. Out of these, Prayagraj Junction managed 199 trains. Additionally, six temporary bus terminals in the city facilitated the operation of 7,000 buses. More than 100 additional trains were also scheduled to ensure smooth transportation.
Railways and Roadways Rise to the Occasion
On January 12, transportation services began at midnight, with trains departing every 10 minutes on various routes. By 6 PM, 140 buses had already been deployed from Prayagraj Junction, Naini, Chheoki, and Subedarganj. Among them were 34 Kumbh-special trains. The services included 61 trains toward Kanpur, comprising daily, special, and extended trains.
Trains for Key Destinations
The railway network ensured seamless travel to major destinations. A total of 69 trains headed toward Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU), Manikpur, and Satna. These included 44 daily trains and 25 special services such as Kumbh-special, ring rail, and extended trains. Additionally, routes toward Varanasi, Chopan, and Gwalior were equally prioritized, with dozens of daily and special trains operating efficiently.
To manage the overwhelming number of travelers, control towers were activated across key transit points. The city’s six temporary bus stations played a crucial role in regulating the movement of buses, ensuring safe and timely travel for devotees.
1 Million Devotees Take Part in the Festivities
The combined efforts of railways, roadways, and air services ensured that over 1 million devotees were able to reach Prayagraj seamlessly for the Maha Kumbh. The city witnessed a massive yet orderly celebration of faith as pilgrims gathered to take the holy dip at the Sangam on the auspicious occasion of Paush Purnima.
This remarkable feat of coordination and planning set the tone for the rest of the Maha Kumbh, which will continue to draw millions of devotees in the coming days.