1 week Ago By Sanjay Samuel Paul
Hyderabad: Thousands of devotees said they were facing difficulties in attending the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj due to a severe shortage of trains. With high demand and limited availability, many middle class pilgrims who rely on budget-friendly train fares are unable to secure tickets. Currently, train fares from Secunderabad to Prayagraj stand at ₹650 for sleeper class and ₹1,700 for 3rd AC.
The Maha Kumbh, held at the sacred confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the Saraswati in Prayagraj, is expected to attract nearly 40 crore pilgrims over its 45-day duration. Despite extensive efforts by stakeholders to facilitate the massive influx, transportation challenges persist. In response to the overwhelming demand, VHP leaders met South Central Railway general manager Arun Kumar Jain to request additional special trains from Secunderabad to Prayagraj until February 26.
Ravinutala Shashidhar, a Hindu leader, emphasised the need for more trains to accommodate devotees, highlighting the extreme crowding of existing services, especially on weekends. Railway officials have acknowledged the issue and assured that more special trains will be run to support the devotees attending the holy bath of the Maha Kumbh. Meanwhile, soaring flight prices due to the event have further limited travel options for many pilgrims.
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