Mahakumbh-2025: IRCTC plans 3124 special trains, offers high-tech services

In line with India’s goal of being a ‘Vikshit Bharat’, Indian Railways will reinvent the Mahakumbh 2025 experience through its Gram Tent City project in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

The Mahakumbh, to take place between 14 January and February 2025, will straddle the spiritual with the secular, offering an experience that’s unmatched for millions of pilgrims. IRCTC ‘Mahakumbh Gram Tent City’ project reflects a continuous, unique visitor experience.

In his introduction to the programme, ED (I&P) Dileep Kumar said, "The biggest festival of Indian culture and spirituality, Mahakumbh has millions of devotees and visitors from all over the world.

The tent city is centrally located just in the vicinity of Bathing Ghats and major attractions, and offers first-class facilities for Rs 6,000+ taxes per person/night, including breakfast.

Commenting on the tent city’s offerings, Kumar said: ‘Engineered for ease, healthcare and a very high standard of hospitality, these premium tents are one of the most refined rooms for the Mahakumbh.

The facilities offer luxurious rooms, sit-down service, and superior catering. An exclusive executive lounge on the city end sits alongside the Arail-side tents, serving pilgrims on both sides of the river.

Main Mahakumbh bathing day is January 13th, Makar-Sankranti (14 Jan),Muni-Amavasya (3/02), Maghi-Purnima (12 Feb) and Mahashivratri (26 Feb) on Mahakumbh Festival for which the Railway is in great plans.

‘For the first time, the railway is deploying video analytics-driven FRS cameras and drone cameras for surveillance and crowd monitoring,’ Kumar said. AI-based crowd forecasting will also be implemented in collaboration with the Mela government.

In total, the railways will run 3,124 Maila rail seva and 10,100 ordinary trains between 10 January and 28 February. Under NCR, 278 ticketing booths will be added to cope with the expected footfall, and Prayagraj railway station’s ticketing facility is enhanced to serve 10,15,200 passengers a day across all modes including UTS.

He said the railway would use video-analytics based FRS cameras and will also be employing drone –cameras for track and crowd surveillance for the first time. The railway is also in the process of deploying AI-in crowd forecasting along with Mela authorities.