Question : Nashik Kumbh Mela

(a) whether the Railways have made arrangements for additional special trains for pilgrims for the upcoming Sinhanstha Kumbh Mela at Nashik to be held during this year;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of the proposals/suggestions received from the State Government of Maharashtra in this regard and the action taken thereon;

(d) whether the arrangements are sufficient to meet the requirement of pilgrims/passengers and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Railways to make adequate arrangements for the pilgrims?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. To cater to the expected influx of pilgrims during Nasik Kumbh Mela, Indian Railways has planned operation of special
trains, augmentation of load of existing trains and, also providing of temporary stoppage of Mail/Express trains to the extent justified and feasible.

(c) to (e): Based on extensive discussions held with the Government of Maharashtra at Zonal and Divisional level, provision/augmentation of various passenger amenities such as platform shelters, platforms surfacing, circulating area, drinking water supply, toilet facilities, widening & extension of one Foot Over Bridge and construction of one additional platform etc have been undertaken at Nasik Road station in connection with Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2015.

For crowd management and bandobast duty, 560 additional Railway Protection Special Force staff have been deployed at Nasik during Kumbh Mela to assist local police, GRP and Commercial Department.

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