Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, Shri V. Somanna, visited Prayagraj for two days to inspect the Mela Camps set up at the Sangam area for the Maha Kumbh 2025. He was accompanied by Divisional Railway Manager of Prayagraj, Shri Himanshu Badoni, and other officials. During the inspection, the Minister interacted with pilgrims and railway staff to assess the facilities provided for the Maha Kumbh. He gathered feedback from passengers waiting in line for tickets and praised the staff for their dedicated service, ensuring smooth operations at the Mela Camp.

In a conversation with the media, Shri Somanna highlighted the extensive preparations made by Indian Railways, which has been working for the past three years to ensure the convenience of pilgrims. Over 13,000 trains will be operational during Maha Kumbh 2025, including more than 3,100 special trains and 10,000 regular trains. He commended the hard work of railway officials and staff, emphasizing the role of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership and the Uttar Pradesh government's support in making this event a success.

The Union Minister also reviewed key facilities at Prayagraj Junction, including the medical observation room, shelters, and the Mela tower. He particularly focused on preparations for the largest holy bath festival, scheduled for Mauni Amavasya, when over 10 crore pilgrims are expected to participate. Indian Railways will operate over 150 Mela Special Trains, setting a new record. This exceeds the 85 special trains operated during the 2019 Kumbh, ensuring a smooth and efficient pilgrimage experience.

Since the start of Maha Kumbh 2025 on January 13, over 9 crore devotees have participated in the holy baths, with record-breaking participation on Makar Sankranti.

Source/PIB & RSB