Around 10 crore people are expected to visit Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for the 'Mauni Amavasya' on Wednesday, an important day of the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela. During this time, pilgrims perform the ‘Amrit Snan,’ which is the most important ritual of the Mahakumbh, where they take a holy bath in the Triveni Sangam—the meeting point of three rivers: the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. To help manage such a huge number of visitors, Indian Railways and the local government have made special arrangements for their travel and safety.

Indian railways prepares for the rush

To make travel easier for the pilgrims, Indian Railways has set up an extensive plan. According to Railway Board chairman and CEO Satish Kumar, 60 special trains will be added to the regular trains for the ‘Amrit Snan’ day, bringing the total number of trains running on that route to 190. "We have done meticulous planning and learnt from our experience on 13-14 January... The train will be available every 4 minutes from Prayagraj, and this is a great achievement," Kumar said.

The railway staff, including more than 8000–10,000 Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, is on high alert to ensure passenger safety. A ‘war room’ has been activated, and officers are taking updates every minute to keep things under control. "All our machinery is very active and in coordination with the state government," he added. This extensive plan reflects how important it is to provide a smooth experience for the devotees, who are coming in large numbers for the holy dip.

Increased security measures for ‘mauni amavasya’

For safety during this big event, the Uttar Pradesh government has put in extra effort. Over the last 17 days of the Mahakumbh, more than 15 crore people have attended, and now the security is even stronger for the 'Mauni Amavasya' ritual. Many security personnel are present throughout the area, and new technology, like AI-powered CCTV cameras and drones, is being used to monitor the large crowd.

The local government in Prayagraj has asked people to avoid using cars in the Mahakumbh area, as it is a no-vehicle zone. Instead, they are encouraged to use two-wheelers or walk, especially if they need to bring elderly people to the Sangam. This will make it easier for the large number of pilgrims who are coming from around the world.

To make the event even more special, the Uttar Pradesh government will release flower petals from helicopters at 6:45 AM on Wednesday to honour the pilgrims. The 'Amrit Snan' will continue to attract millions of people to Prayagraj, making this day very important both for spirituality and managing such a large crowd.