Indian Railways has decided to keep Prayagraj Sangam Railway Station closed for 11 days starting February 17. The decision was made after a request from the Prayagraj administration.
Sangam Railway Station will remain closed from February 17 to February 28 due to the large number of passengers during the Mahakumbh fair. Prayagraj has nine railway stations, and Sangam Railway Station is near the fair area.
Shashikant Tripathi, Chief Public Relations Officer of North Central Railway, told News18 Hindi that 238 trains ran on Sunday (February 16), carrying over 10.96 lakh passengers from various stations in Prayagraj. On Saturday (February 15), 339 trains carried over 14.76 lakh passengers.
Even after the Amrit Snan and Maghi Purnima festivals, the number of devotees remains high. By 8 PM on Sunday, 1.49 crore people had bathed in the Ganga and Sangam. Since January 13, 52.96 crore people have taken a holy dip.
On Sunday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath conducted an aerial survey of the fair, reviewed traffic and facilities, and urged devotees to help maintain smooth traffic flow.
A government statement advised devotees to use designated parking areas instead of parking on roads. The Chief Minister also encouraged religious and social organisations to continue distributing food and Prasad.
The Prayagraj district magistrate has ordered online classes for the students of Classes 1 to 8 across all government, aided and recognised schools in rural and urban areas from February 17 to February 20.
The Maha Kumbh started on January 13 and will continue till February 26 on the banks of the Triveni Sangam — the confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati rivers, considered holy among Hindus. The Maha Kumbh is being held after 12 years.