Stations shut, trains cancelled: Railway officials struggle to manage surge of pilgrims at Maha Kumbh

As Prayagraj Junction remains overwhelmed, Jhunsi and Prayagraj Cantonment railway stations have turned into a sea of humanity.

At around 9 pm on Sunday, an announcement echoed through Prayagraj Junction, urging passengers to delay their entry onto the platforms due to an overwhelming rush. “Aap abhi na aayen, ek ghanta ke baad aaye,” blared the loudspeakers, cautioning travelers about the surging crowds.

With lakhs of devotees pouring into Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, railway stations across Uttar Pradesh have turned into virtual battlefields of jostling passengers. The Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station, initially scheduled to remain closed until February 14, has now been shut down until February 26 due to unmanageable crowds. Those who usually board trains from this station have been redirected to Phaphamau Railway Station, adding pressure to other transit points.

However, the redirection has only shifted the problem rather than solving it. “Is this a judicious decision? The crowd has simply moved to other stations like Jhunsi, Rambagh and Phaphamau, which are on the outskirts of Prayagraj,” questioned Shushanto Kumar Sen, a passenger from Lucknow waiting for his return train.

The Uttar Pradesh government reported that by 8 am on Monday, 36.35 lakh pilgrims had taken a dip at the Sangam, bringing the total number of devotees visiting the Kumbh to nearly 53 crore.

Stations Crippled by Unprecedented Rush

This mass movement of people has left railway stations bursting at the seams. At Prayagraj Junction, Subedarganj, Phaphamau, Chheoki, Rambagh, Jhunsi, and Prayagraj Cantonment, waves of pilgrims have overwhelmed platforms, making it nearly impossible for authorities to manage crowd control. Even former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav shared a video showing the chaos outside Naini station.

Authorities are emphasising continuous announcements at railway stations, warning passengers about crowd management protocols. Citing Railway Board guidelines, railway officials have instructed that platforms should not be changed under any circumstances.

Passengers are also being prevented from sitting on foot overbridges and are being redirected to the circulating area. The railway administration has called in its special protection force, with railway officials and security personnel patrolling bridges and staircases to remove loitering passengers. Surveillance has been increased at staircases, while escalators and lifts have been shut down for security reasons.

Trains Delayed, Canceled, and Rerouted

Adding to the chaos, several trains are running eight to ten hours behind schedule due to the passenger influx. The railway administration has resorted to rerouting and canceling trains to manage the congestion. Senior DCM Kuldeep Tiwari of Northern Railway (Lucknow Division) announced multiple route changes. Train No. 15017 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus-Gorakhpur Express, departing on February 16 and 17, will now take the route Itarsi-Bina-Jhansi-Kanpur Central-Lucknow-Barabanki-Gorakhpur, bypassing Prayagraj. Similarly, Train No. 15018 Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express, departing on February 17 and 18, will follow the reverse route, also avoiding Prayagraj.

Additionally, several trains have been canceled, including Train No. 15003 Kanpur Anwarganj-Gorakhpur Express on February 16 and Train No. 15004 Gorakhpur-Kanpur Anwarganj Express on February 16.

As Prayagraj Junction remains overwhelmed, Jhunsi and Prayagraj Cantonment railway stations have turned into a sea of humanity. Authorities have implemented strict entry and exit protocols to prevent stampedes, but the sheer number of people continues to pose challenges. Dr. Amit Malviya, Senior PRO of North Central Railway, reassured the public, stating that 127 special trains have been deployed so far, with more being added as needed. Regular train schedules are also being maintained.

Yet, railway police (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) personnel are struggling to control the relentless influx of passengers. Families with elderly members and children find it particularly difficult to navigate through the crowded platforms. “We have implemented structured crowd control protocols across eight major stations in and around Prayagraj,” said Shashikant Tripathi, Chief PRO of North Central Railway. “Despite these measures, the sheer volume of devotees continues to test the system.”

Varanasi and Gorakhpur Railway Stations Overrun

The situation is no better at Varanasi and Gorakhpur railway stations, where returning pilgrims are pushing trains beyond capacity. At Varanasi Cantt station, passengers cling to doors and windows just to secure a spot onboard. Meanwhile, in Gorakhpur, emergency measures were taken to clear congestion. At 1:45 AM, authorities dispatched a Chauri Chaura Special train to ferry stranded passengers away from the overcrowded station.

With the Maha Kumbh still drawing record-breaking crowds, railway authorities remain on high alert. While additional special trains and security measures have been rolled out, the logistical nightmare of managing millions of devotees remains an ongoing challenge.