Indian Railways has responded to misleading news reports claiming that there will be free trains to Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj during the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela, which will be hosted in January 2025. The Railways has issued a clarification saying that there will be no free of cost travel for passengers travelling to attend the festival and at the same time reminded that travelling without a valid ticket is a punishable offence.
The notification issued by Railways reads, “It has come to the attention of Indian Railways that certain media outlets are circulating reports claiming that passengers will be allowed to travel free of cost during the Maha Kumbh Mela. Indian Railways categorically denies these reports, as they are entirely baseless and misleading.
Traveling without a valid ticket is strictly prohibited under the rules and regulations of Indian Railways and constitutes a punishable offense. There are no provisions for free travel during Maha Kumbh Mela or any other occasion.”
Talking about how it is preparing for passenger convenience during the festival, the Railways further mentioned, “Indian Railways is committed to ensuring seamless travel for passengers during the Maha Kumbh Mela. Adequate arrangements are being made, including the establishment of special holding areas, additional ticket counters, and other necessary facilities to manage the anticipated influx of passengers.”
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Details
Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj is all set to host the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. The festival begins on January 13 and will conclude on February 26. The Maha Kumbh is held once every 12 years and the main bathing rituals, known as the Shahi Snan (royal baths), will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
In Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, the holy festival is held at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers. During the Kumbh Mela, a number of ceremonies take place; the traditional procession of Akharas called ‘Peshwai’ on elephant backs, horses and chariots, the shining swords and rituals of Naga Sadhus during ‘Shahi Snaan’, and many other cultural activities that attract millions of pilgrims to attend the festival, which witnesses the world’s largest human gathering.
Maha Kumbh Special Trains
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw recently announced that the Indian Railways will operate approximately 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special services, to accommodate the massive influx of devotees for the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh. At least 1.5 to 2 crore passengers are expected to travel by train to the city for the Maha Kumbh, which will begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26 on the occasion of Mahashivaratri.
The Railways Minister has also introduced the mobile Unreserved Ticket System (UTS) in Prayagraj, which will be used for the first time during the Maha Kumbh. This system, which was previously implemented during the Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha will make ticketing easier for passengers during the festival.
The Central Railway has announced that it will be running 34 special trains between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)/Pune–Mau and Nagpur-Danapur to cater to the huge rush of passengers during the Kumbh Mela 2025.
