Indian Railways successfully managed the surge in passenger traffic during the Mauni Amavasya period by operating 244 special trains across the country over the past two weeks, ferrying more than 4.5 lakh devotees without disrupting regular services.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the special trains have been running since January 3, and were operated by three railway zones—31 trains by Northern Railway (NR), 158 by North Central Railway (NCR), and 55 by North Eastern Railway (NER). The additional services were planned to ensure smooth, safe and hassle-free travel for pilgrims and other passengers during the peak festive season.
Prayagraj witnessed the highest movement of passengers on January 18, when 40 special trains were operated to manage the heavy rush. These included 11 trains of Northern Railway, 22 of North Central Railway and seven of North Eastern Railway, together carrying around one lakh passengers in a single day. Railway officials said that all regular train services continued to run on schedule, highlighting effective planning and operational coordination.
The Ministry said smooth handling of the festive rush reflects Indian Railways’ focus on passenger convenience and safety during high-demand periods. The railways continue to rely on coordinated efforts across zones, efficient resource deployment and the use of technology to manage large-scale passenger movement, particularly during major religious and cultural events.
