Nobody Could Recall Such Crowds in History of MahaKumbh. Stations Around Uttar Pradesh Become Battlefields With Devotees Trying To Get In: Roads Choked

Massive Rush at Prayagraj Railway Stations Amid Maha Kumbh Mela

At approximately 9 PM on Sunday, an urgent announcement echoed through Prayagraj Junction, advising passengers to delay their arrival due to overcrowding. “Aap abhi na aayen, ek ghanta ke baad aaye,” the loudspeakers blared, cautioning travelers against entering the already overwhelmed platforms.

With lakhs of devotees converging in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, railway stations across Uttar Pradesh have turned into chaotic transit hubs. Originally slated to remain closed until February 14, the Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station will remain shut until February 26 as authorities struggle to manage the surging crowds. Commuters who typically use this station have been redirected to Phaphamau Railway Station, intensifying the pressure on surrounding transit points.

Overflowing Crowds at Alternative Stations

However, the redirection has merely shifted congestion rather than alleviating it. “Does this solve anything? The crowd has just relocated to stations like Jhansi, Rambagh, and Phaphamau, situated on the outskirts of Prayagraj,” remarked Shushanto Kumar Sen, a passenger from Lucknow awaiting his return journey.

According to the Uttar Pradesh government, by 8 AM on Monday, 36.35 lakh devotees had already taken a holy dip at the Sangam, pushing the total number of visitors to an astonishing 53 crore.

Railway Stations Struggling to Cope

The massive influx of pilgrims has left railway stations bursting at the seams. At major hubs such as Prayagraj Junction, Subedarganj, Phaphamau, Chheoki, Rambagh, Jhansi, and Prayagraj Cantonment, throngs of passengers have overwhelmed platforms, making crowd control an immense challenge. Even former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav shared footage of the chaos outside Naini station.

In response, authorities have ramped up announcements, urging travelers to adhere to crowd management protocols. As per Railway Board directives, platform assignments must remain unchanged to avoid further confusion.

Passengers are being discouraged from loitering on foot overbridges and are redirected to designated circulation areas. Railway security forces have been deployed to patrol key areas such as staircases and bridges, ensuring smooth movement. Surveillance has also been increased, while escalators and lifts have been shut down as a precautionary measure.

Train Delays, Cancellations, and Reroutes

The surge in passengers has led to widespread disruptions, with multiple trains running behind schedule by eight to ten hours. To mitigate congestion, railway authorities have implemented reroutes and cancellations. Senior DCM Kuldeep Tiwari of Northern Railway (Lucknow Division) confirmed several route alterations, including:

• Train No. 15017 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Gorakhpur Express (February 16 & 17) will now take the Itarsi-Bina-Jhansi-Kanpur Central-Lucknow-Barabanki-Gorakhpur route, bypassing Prayagraj.
• Train No. 15018 Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express (February 17 & 18) will follow the same rerouted path in reverse, also avoiding Prayagraj.

In addition, certain trains have been canceled, including:

• Train No. 15003 Kanpur Anwarganj-Gorakhpur Express (February 16)
• Train No. 15004 Gorakhpur-Kanpur Anwarganj Express (February 16)

With Prayagraj Junction struggling to accommodate the influx, Jhansi, and Prayagraj Cantonment railway stations have become overwhelmed. Strict entry and exit protocols have been enforced to prevent stampedes. Despite these measures, the unrelenting flow of devotees continues to pose logistical hurdles. Dr. Amit Malviya, Senior PRO of North Central Railway, reassured passengers that 127 special trains have already been deployed, with additional ones being introduced as required. Regular train operations are also being maintained.

However, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are facing challenges in controlling the relentless crowds. Families with elderly members and young children are finding it particularly difficult to navigate the packed platforms. “We have structured crowd control mechanisms across eight major stations surrounding Prayagraj,” stated Shashikant Tripathi, Chief PRO of North Central Railway. “Nevertheless, the sheer volume of devotees continues to strain the system.”

Varanasi and Gorakhpur Stations Under Pressure

The situation is equally dire at Varanasi and Gorakhpur railway stations, where returning pilgrims have pushed trains to their limits. At Varanasi Cantt station, passengers are seen clinging to doors and windows, desperate to secure a spot. Meanwhile, Gorakhpur authorities took emergency action to decongest the station, dispatching a Chauri Chaura Special train at 1:45 AM to accommodate stranded travelers.

With record-breaking crowds still pouring in for the Maha Kumbh, railway officials remain on high alert. Despite deploying additional special trains and enforcing stringent security measures, managing the colossal movement of devotees remains an ongoing challenge.