As the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj continues to draw millions of devotees, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the significance of the event, stating that over 53 crore devotees have already taken a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.
The spiritual journey will carry on for the next nine days, with more devotees expected. CM Yogi Adityanath emphasized the importance of this occasion, noting, "This moment is even more important for us when Mahakumbh is being organized, which has become the world's largest spiritual and cultural event to date. So far, 53 crore devotees have taken a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam and this process will continue for the next nine days."
The Chief Minister also lauded the country's faith, remarking, "Under the leadership of PM Modi, for the first time the faith of the country got respect. The wait of 500 years is over and now we can go to Ayodhya to offer prayers to Lord Ram."
He compared the drastic increase in the number of devotees visiting Ayodhya, stating, "In 2016-17, when there was no BJP government in the state, the number of devotees coming to Ayodhya was only 2 lakh 35 thousand, and in 2024, this number is more than 14 to 15 crore devotees. This is the result of the contribution of the devotees."
On the 36th day of the Mahakumbh, over 52 crore devotees gathered at the Triveni Sangam, making it the largest human gathering in the world. With such a massive influx of people, the Prayagraj Railway Station saw heavy crowds, and police officials worked tirelessly to maintain order.
Director General of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), G.P. Singh, visited Prayagraj to assess the security arrangements. He commended the effective coordination between the Uttar Pradesh Police, CRPF, and other involved agencies.
The CRPF’s official X account reported, “In Prayagraj, DG GP Singh assessed security arrangements for Mahakumbh, guiding CRPF officials on balancing vigilance with seamless public assistance. He appreciated the fine synergy between UP Police, CRPF, and all agencies involved while commending their hard work so far in maintaining security."
To manage the increased passenger traffic during the Mahakumbh, Northern Railway has introduced four special trains. These trains will ensure smooth travel for devotees and passengers, following routes designed to accommodate the surge in demand.
The special trains are: Train No. 04420 (New Delhi to Prayagraj), Train No. 04422 (New Delhi to Prayagraj), Train No. 04424 (Anand Vihar Terminal to Prayagraj), and Train No. 04418 (New Delhi to Darbhanga). These services are expected to ease the congestion during the Mela, providing added convenience for pilgrims.
Following the recent stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, which tragically resulted in 18 deaths and numerous injuries, Central Railway has also announced the operation of four additional special trains to assist pilgrims traveling to Prayagraj for the Mahakumbh.