Railways gear up for Maha Kumbh Mela

Keeping in mind the lakhs who will throng Alllahabad for the Kumbh Mela starting Monday, the railways have announced steps to help passengers.

Besides running special trains and adding coaches in popular trains, additional ticket counters have opened at the Allahabad railway station.

New foot over bridges, escalators and waiting halls with drinking water facilities and toilets have come up at the station.

Close-circuit TV, medical facilities and crowd management are in place.

Most facilities have been set up in and around Allahabad, from where the majority of travellers are expected, an official statement said.

Around 1,900 extra coaches have been requisitioned by the three railway zones catering for the Kumbh.

Over 750 special trains will be run by the North Central Railway during the Kumbh with additional stoppage at Etawah, Allahabad, Naini, Cheokki and Vindhyachal stations.

Fourteen additional companies of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) from other zones have been deployed.