As the auspicious Kanwar Yatra approaches, Indian Railways has announced a comprehensive plan to operate 16 special train services and introduce additional halts for several express trains, specifically catering to the massive influx of devotees. Commencing from July 11 and continuing until July 27, these special arrangements are designed to facilitate smoother and more organised movement for pilgrims undertaking their sacred journey to Haridwar and Yog Nagari Rishikesh. This strategic intervention highlights the railway’s commitment to managing large-scale religious gatherings with enhanced logistical support, potentially contributing to more sustainable and equitable urban mobility during this period.
The Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage, sees millions of devotees, primarily from North India, travel to collect holy water from the Ganges. The sheer scale of this movement often places immense pressure on existing transportation infrastructure and urban resources. By deploying dedicated “Kanwar Special” trains, Indian Railways aims to alleviate congestion on regular services and road networks. For instance, the Haridwar Kanwar Special will offer a direct route from Delhi to Haridwar, while other services will connect vital hubs like Moradabad, Delhi Shahdara, and Alamnagar to the pilgrimage destinations. These planned routes, with specific departure and arrival times, are crucial for devotees to plan their journeys efficiently and safely.
The operational details of these special trains have been meticulously planned. A Haridwar Kanwar Special will depart Delhi at 3:05 AM, reaching Haridwar by 9:25 AM via Shamli, with a return service in the afternoon. Another dedicated train, number 64557, will connect Delhi to Haridwar via Saharanpur, Roorkee, and Jwalapur. Beyond these, specific services will run from Moradabad to Haridwar and from Delhi Shahdara to Yog Nagari Rishikesh, ensuring comprehensive coverage for pilgrims from various starting points. The introduction of these dedicated services provides a structured and reliable mode of transport, which is essential for managing the environmental and social impact of such large-scale movements.
In a move to further ease congestion at key points, several express trains will make additional two-minute stops at Jwalapur, Motichur, and Raiwala railway stations from July 11 to July 24. These strategic halts include prominent trains such as the Subedarganj-Dehradun Link Express, Ujjain-Dehradun Express, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-Yoga Nagari Hemkund Express, among others. This measure ensures that even passengers on regular services can access the pilgrimage sites more conveniently without disrupting the broader rail network significantly. This level of granular planning demonstrates a responsible approach to managing seasonal spikes in travel demand.
The provision of special trains and additional halts during the Kanwar Yatra serves a multifaceted purpose. From an economic perspective, it supports local economies in the pilgrimage towns by facilitating easier access for devotees, who in turn contribute to local businesses. From a social standpoint, it ensures that all individuals, regardless of their physical abilities or economic status, have equitable access to participate in this significant religious event. Furthermore, by channelling a large number of pilgrims onto organised rail transport, it can help reduce reliance on private vehicles and informal transport, potentially leading to lower carbon emissions and a more controlled flow of human traffic, thereby contributing to the broader goal of sustainable urban and regional development. This proactive management of spiritual tourism exemplifies a concerted effort to balance cultural traditions with modern logistical demands and environmental considerations.
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