In a grand initiative to facilitate millions of devotees traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, Eastern Railway has announced a comprehensive plan of 42 pairs of Kumbh Mela Special Trains.
These trains aim to provide seamless travel from various regions, ensuring easy accessibility to the holy city. The services include daily trains from the Kolkata area and bi-weekly trains from Malda via Bhagalpur, connecting major hubs with Prayagraj.
Howrah-Tundla-Howrah Kumbh Mela Special
The Howrah-Tundla-Howrah Special is a crucial addition to the network:
- Train Nos. 03021/03022:
- Departure from Howrah: 19:35 hrs
- Arrival at Tundla: 11:20 hrs
- Return Departure from Tundla: 15:20 hrs
- Arrival at Howrah: 03:30 hrs
- Stops: Barddhaman, Asansol, Prayagraj Junction, and Etawah Junction.
- Frequency: 16 trips each from Howrah and Tundla between January and February 2025.
- Train Nos. 03029/03030 (Via Bandel):
- Frequency: 3 trips between January and February 2025.
- Additional stops include Dhanbad, Gaya, Sasaram, Mirzapur, and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
Howrah-Bhind-Howrah Kumbh Mela Special
This service caters to pilgrims traveling to Bhind:
- Train Nos. 03031/03032:
- Departure from Howrah: 00:30 hrs
- Arrival at Bhind: 01:05 hrs
- Return Departure from Bhind: 03:30 hrs
- Stops: Barddhaman, Asansol, Prayagraj Junction, and Fatehpur.
- Frequency: 3 trips between January and February 2025.
- Train Nos. 03033/03034:
- Frequency: 1 trip each in January 2025.
Malda Town-Prayagraj Rambag-Malda Town Kumbh Mela Special
This bi-weekly service via Bhagalpur ensures connectivity from Malda:
- Train Nos. 03409/03410:
- Departure from Malda Town: 20:45 hrs
- Arrival at Prayagraj Rambag: 17:15 hrs
- Return Departure from Prayagraj Rambag: 14:30 hrs
- Stops: Sahibganj Junction, Jamalpur Junction, Patna Junction, and Varanasi.
- Frequency: 11 trips each between January and February 2025.
Train Composition for All Special Trains
Each Kumbh Mela Special Train is designed to accommodate large passenger volumes:
- AC 3-Tier: 4 coaches
- AC 2-Tier: 1 coach
- Sleeper Class: 8 coaches
- Second Class (General): 3 coaches
- SLRD (Seating cum Luggage Rake for Divyangjan): 2 coaches
Ticket Booking
Advance bookings for these trains will open from December 16, 2024. Devotees are encouraged to plan their travel early to secure seats.
Additional Regular Train Services
In addition to the special trains, regular services originating from Eastern Railway jurisdiction will also operate to Prayagraj. These include:
- Howrah-Prayagraj Rambag Vibhuti Express
- Howrah-New Delhi Rajdhani Express (via Gaya and Patna)
- Howrah-Jodhpur Express
- Howrah-Bikaner Express
- Howrah-Mathura Express
- Bhagalpur-Anand Vihar Garib Rath Express
These trains, along with the specials, are expected to handle the massive influx of pilgrims during the Maha Kumbh Mela.
Wide Network of Stops
The extensive route coverage includes stops at major stations such as:
- Dhanbad
- Gaya
- Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- Mirzapur
- Fatehpur
- Varanasi
This ensures that devotees from diverse regions can conveniently reach Prayagraj.
Significance of Maha Kumbh Mela Specials
The Maha Kumbh Mela is a monumental event, attracting millions of pilgrims from across the globe. Indian Railways’ proactive approach to running special trains highlights its commitment to providing safe, comfortable, and affordable travel options for all. With seamless connectivity and efficient scheduling, the Eastern Railway reiterates its dedication to being “In Service to the Nation.”
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