Pune to Prayagraj: 50000 Devotees Travel for Kumbh Mela, Railways Revenue Hits ₹5 Crore
Pune: The Pune Railway Division has witnessed an unprecedented surge in passengers traveling to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, for the Kumbh Mela, leading to a revenue generation of over ₹5 crore in just 20 days. More than 50,000 passengers have traveled during this period as devotees flock to Prayagraj for the sacred bathing rituals.
The Kumbh Mela, a major religious event held once every 144 years, has attracted a massive number of devotees from across India. The month of January 2025 included two significant "Shahi Snan" (royal bathing) dates, resulting in an unprecedented rise in ticket bookings from Pune to Prayagraj.
Due to the high demand, regular train tickets are fully booked, and online reservations are unavailable. Many passengers are resorting to alternative travel options. In response, the Pune Railway Division has introduced additional special trains to accommodate the increased number of travelers.
Special Trains to Handle the Rush
The Pune Railway Division is currently operating multiple trains to Prayagraj:
Danapur Express – Daily service from Pune to Prayagraj.
Four weekly special trains exclusively for Prayagraj-bound passengers.
Six Kumbh Mela special trains launched to meet the increased demand.
A special train from Hubballi to Tundla (Uttar Pradesh) is also running.
In total, 12 to 13 trains are running daily from Pune to Uttar Pradesh to facilitate Kumbh Mela travel. Between January 1 and January 20, 2025, a total of 49,363 passengers have traveled from Pune to Uttar Pradesh, generating over ₹5 crore in revenue for the Pune Railway Division.
"There is a tremendous demand for trains to Prayagraj due to the ongoing Kumbh Mela. In addition to regular trains, we have introduced several special trains, but even those are running at full capacity. We are also running special trains from Hubballi to Uttar Pradesh, ensuring that devotees have multiple options for travel. At present, 12 to 13 trains are departing daily from Pune to Uttar Pradesh," said Dr. Milind Hirwe, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Central Railway, Pune Division.
