Patna: With a view to streamlining the train services reaching Prayagraj station during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the railways has announced cancellation of at least 22 special trains which were scheduled to operate until December 2024, originating from different stations falling under the jurisdiction of the East Central Railway (ECR). The Maha Kumbh Mela will be observed in January 2025.
The cancellations are part of the railways’ strategy to optimise train services and accommodate the rush of devotees travelling to Prayagraj, said ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra.
According to Chandra, the cancelled special trains were initially intended to operate during the peak phase of the festival and winter vacations to clear the rush of passengers on a few particular routes. However, with a large number of passengers expected to reach Prayagraj during the mela period, the decision was made to reuse the special train rakes for more efficient routes. The cancellation is expected to ease congestion on critical rail corridors and ensure that trains serving the Kumbh Mela are well maintained, he said.
The railways has said that passengers who had booked tickets on these cancelled trains will get refunds. They are being urged to check the status of their bookings through official channels and be alert for further updates on alternative travel arrangements, said a senior railway official of Danapur.
Among important special trains which will remain cancelled till December 31, included Patna-Secunderabad (03253/03254, 07255/07256), Danapur-Bengaluru (03251/03252), Patna-Puri (03229/03230), Dhanbad- Coimbatore (03325/03326), Darbhanga-Daurai Ajmer (05537/05538), Saharsa-Sirhind Amritsar (05565/05566) and other special trains running on different routes from the ECR jurisdiction, the CPRO said.
Patna: With a view to streamlining the train services reaching Prayagraj station during the Maha Kumbh Mela, the railways has announced cancellation of at least 22 special trains which were scheduled to operate until December 2024, originating from different stations falling under the jurisdiction of the East Central Railway (ECR). The Maha Kumbh Mela will be observed in January 2025.
The cancellations are part of the railways’ strategy to optimise train services and accommodate the rush of devotees travelling to Prayagraj, said ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra.
According to Chandra, the cancelled special trains were initially intended to operate during the peak phase of the festival and winter vacations to clear the rush of passengers on a few particular routes. However, with a large number of passengers expected to reach Prayagraj during the mela period, the decision was made to reuse the special train rakes for more efficient routes. The cancellation is expected to ease congestion on critical rail corridors and ensure that trains serving the Kumbh Mela are well maintained, he said.
The railways has said that passengers who had booked tickets on these cancelled trains will get refunds. They are being urged to check the status of their bookings through official channels and be alert for further updates on alternative travel arrangements, said a senior railway official of Danapur.
Among important special trains which will remain cancelled till December 31, included Patna-Secunderabad (03253/03254, 07255/07256), Danapur-Bengaluru (03251/03252), Patna-Puri (03229/03230), Dhanbad- Coimbatore (03325/03326), Darbhanga-Daurai Ajmer (05537/05538), Saharsa-Sirhind Amritsar (05565/05566) and other special trains running on different routes from the ECR jurisdiction, the CPRO said.