Maha Kumbh 2025: The Indian Railways is preparing for the world's largest gathering, Maha Kumbh, that will be held in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, in January, after effectively handling the traffic during the October–November holiday season. To manage pilgrims and provide comfort to those traveling to and from Sangam in Prayagraj, railways are starting with the renovation of stations in and around the city.

They are also building new foot overbridges and temporary and permanent passenger sheds surrounding the stations. There will be at least 13,000 trains to serve the pilgrims traveling to the area.

A ministry official told News18 that at least 21 train stations in the city are undergoing renovations.

There are four of the 23 permanent passenger sheds that the railways have constructed at Jhusi station. In addition to providing passengers with a comfortable space, these sheds with water, restrooms, and ticketing will lessen platform congestion. Located directly outside the station, these sheds will also be used for train arrival and departure announcements.

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Prayagraj Junction (PYJ), Prayagraj Rambagh (PRRB), Prayagraj Sangam (PYG), Prayag Junction (PRG), Naini Junction (NYN), Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI), Phaphamau Junction (PFM), Jhunsi (JI), and Subedarganj (SFG) are among the nine railway stations in and around the city that are roughly ten to fifteen kilometres from the city centre.

“These stations are expected to get the maximum footfalls but there are also stations in the nearby regions where arrangements are being made to deal with the excess footfall, including Varanasi," the official said.

One of the standard procedures that will be adhered to on these stations is the uniflow use of foot overbridges. “The new foot overbridges are 12 meters wide that will allow easy movement of passengers. Further, the movement of passengers will be only from one direction, so that there will be less chances of crowd congestion and the rush would be cleared faster. The railways is also deploying railway mitra, volunteers and staff at the stations to help the passengers," the official explained.