More than 2,100 special trains have been pressed into service for catering to the large number of pilgrims travelling to Ujjain for the month-long Simhastha Kumbh Mela.
There will be total 2,190 special trains for Simhastha Kumbh fair as we have made adequate arrangement for pilgrims at Ujjain station, Railway Board Member (Traffic) Mohd Jamshed said here today.
Railways is expecting to carry about 50 million pilgrims for the month-long fair at the Kshipra river, the venue of the Simhastha fair.
The fair began on April 22 and will conclude on May 21 with a shahi snan (holy bath).
Besides the 2190 special trains, 196 extra coaches are also being added in different trains coming towards Ujjain, Jamshed said.
The Simhastha fair is taking place after 12 years.
"Last time we had run 867 trains in 2004. This time the number of trains for the fair has increased by 233 per cent from the last time," Jamshed said.
Besides trains, Railways has made adequate arrangements, including setting up medical facilities, deploying about 700 RPF personnel, installing 61 fire extinguishers at vantage locations at the station and also developing the station to tackle the rush of the crowd.
The safety and security of passenger is paramount importance for us so we have taken steps accordingly, Jamshed said.
