Railway makes special arrangements for Nashik Kumbh Mela

Railway has made special arrangements for pilgrims heading to Nashik for the Kumbh Mela and has upgraded and extended facilities at the local train station for smooth journey of devotees.

Mumbai: Railway has made special arrangements for pilgrims heading to Nashik for the Kumbh Mela and has upgraded and extended facilities at the local train station for smooth journey of devotees.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the arrangements made for the mega religious festival which began in Nashik and its adjoining town Trimbakeshwar this morning.

Central Railway has spent Rs 25.8 crore for facilitating railway passengers and pilgrimages. It has made special arrangements for `shahi snaan' (royal bath) days on August 29, September 13, September 18 and September 25, when devotee rush will be more than other days, a CR release said here.

A new platform has been built at Nashik Road station to handle the additional flow of passengers. It has facilities like booking and enquiry counters. Existing platforms have been provided with new foot over bridges (FoBs) ramp and stair-case facility, it said.

Additional 22 booking counters are being provided, of 10 are now functional. CR has already announced running of 12 fully reserved superfast special trains between Nasik Road and Howrah and 39 unreserved trains between Nasik Road-Bhusaval and Odha-Igatpuri.

CR has pressed its crowd management system to regulate passengers and avoid any mishap. "To keep constant and close watch on crowd, half a dozen watch towers have been erected. Additionally, temporary barricades have been commissioned."

Besides, CR has kept its medical team ready to handle any unwarranted situation.

"Life Line Express, consisting of three medical coaches and having a mini operation theatre, too, will be soon pressed into service, the release added.

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