Special Trains Announced for Mahakumbh as Pilgrim Rush Rises
In response to the anticipated surge in passenger demand for the 2025 Mahakumbh Mela, Western Railway has announced three special train services from Gujarat to key religious destinations in Uttar Pradesh. These additional trains aim to provide seamless connectivity for devotees undertaking the sacred journey to the world’s largest religious gathering. The Mahakumbh, held once every 12 years in Prayagraj, is expected to draw millions of pilgrims, making enhanced transport facilities crucial for managing the influx. With thousands of devotees travelling from Gujarat, these special services will ease congestion and ensure a comfortable journey.
The Ahmedabad-Janghayi Special (09405) will commence its journey on February 13 and 17, departing Ahmedabad at 10:40 pm and reaching Janghayi at 4:30 am on the third day. The return service (09406) will operate on February 15 and 19, leaving Janghayi at 8:30 am and arriving in Ahmedabad the following day at 6 pm. Additionally, the Sabarmati-Banaras Special (09453) will depart Sabarmati on February 21 at 11 am, reaching Banaras at 4 pm the next day. The return leg (09454) will leave Banaras on February 22 at 7:30 pm, reaching Sabarmati at 12:30 am. These trains will operate with special fares to accommodate the high demand. Ticket bookings will open on February 6 through Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters and the IRCTC website.
The initiative highlights Indian Railways’ commitment to sustainability by reducing the dependency on private vehicles and buses, thereby minimising carbon emissions. Large-scale pilgrimages like Mahakumbh often lead to increased environmental pressure due to high fuel consumption from road transport. By increasing rail connectivity, the railways offer an energy-efficient travel alternative, reducing congestion and air pollution while ensuring affordability. With an average train’s carbon footprint significantly lower than road-based transport, these special services align with India’s larger sustainability goals of promoting eco-friendly mass transit solutions.
From an urban planning and civic perspective, the launch of these additional trains is crucial in managing crowd movement effectively. Given the extensive footfall at Mahakumbh, transportation bottlenecks can lead to severe logistical challenges. By bolstering railway connectivity from Gujarat to Uttar Pradesh, authorities are not only improving travel convenience but also mitigating the risk of overcrowding at railway stations and bus terminals. The move also reflects the growing emphasis on enhancing public infrastructure to facilitate large-scale religious tourism. With millions set to participate in the holy gathering, seamless transport access remains a vital component of successful event management.
