Chaos at Patna Junction- The Strain of Maha Kumbh Pilgrimage Trains

As the auspicious day of Magh Purnima approaches on 12 February, millions of devotees are traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world. This mass pilgrimage has overwhelmed the already overstretched railway system, resulting in a severe shortage of trains and overcrowding at stations, leaving passengers in dire circumstances.

Patna Junction, a major transit point for passengers heading to Prayagraj, is one of the worst affected stations. Witnesses described the situation as chaotic, with platforms crowded beyond capacity. There was barely enough space to move, and passengers could only see a sea of heads in every direction. Trains were delayed, and many had to wait hours just to board their train.

A passenger traveling from Siliguri shared her exhausting ordeal: “I have been sitting since 11 a.m. It’s now 2 p.m., and I can’t get up to go to the bathroom. It feels like I can’t breathe, and I’m scared I might faint.” Such conditions were echoed by many others, as some described how they had been stuck in the same position for over 15 hours, unable to move or get any relief. Inside the trains, conditions were no better, with passengers packed tightly, often with more people than there were seats. In some cases, passengers shared space in the bathrooms, and the stench of overcrowding filled the air.

On 11 January, when the Brahmaputra Mail train arrived at platform number four, the situation took a drastic turn. The platform, already packed with pilgrims, became a scene of desperation. Before the train had even come to a complete stop, people began climbing through windows to board. Others attempted to break open the locked gates of sleeper and AC coaches in their quest to find a place inside. Frustrated voices could be heard shouting: “If they don’t open the gate, we’ll break it down!” The sheer chaos underscored the lengths to which people were willing to go to secure a seat for the journey.

Once on board, the passengers were still not safe from discomfort. “There is no place to even sit properly. I’ve been sitting since last night and haven’t been able to sleep. I can’t go to the bathroom, and people are even sitting in the bathroom. We’re breathing in a suffocating environment,” said one woman traveling from Siliguri to Prayagraj. The overwhelming crowd made even standing impossible, leading to fear and panic among passengers.

After a brief 15-20 minute stop, the train departed, but for many, relief remained elusive. Some passengers clung to the exterior of the train as it sped toward Prayagraj, hoping to somehow endure the grueling journey. The station, meanwhile, remained packed with people, and the long wait for the next train began all over again.

Efforts to Manage the Crowd

To manage the surge in passengers, the Railway Police have been making announcements at Patna Junction using loudspeakers, urging caution and directing people to remain calm. Additional police forces have been deployed, and the Bihar Police Headquarters has instructed local stations to cooperate in crowd control. However, despite these efforts, the situation at Patna Junction remained overwhelming. Platforms four and five bore the brunt of the crisis, as passengers from nearby districts continued to arrive in droves, determined to reach Prayagraj.

Train Cancellations and Altered Schedules

As the Maha Kumbh draws nearer, the pressure on the railways has forced the cancellation of numerous trains originating from cities like Chhapra, Jaunpur, and Ghazipur. To reduce the chaos and better manage the crowd, the Railway Ministry has issued a detailed schedule of these cancellations. Passengers have been urged to double-check train timings before departure to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.

Trains like the 55105 Chhapra Kacheri-Thawe Passenger, 65101 Ghazipur City-Jaunpur MEMU, and 15105 Chhapra Nautanwa Intercity Express, among others, have been canceled due to operational reasons. These cancellations will continue until 15 February, with services expected to resume from 16 February on their regular schedules.

Special Train Services for Maha Kumbh

To ease the strain and accommodate the rising number of pilgrims heading to Prayagraj, the railways have introduced a special unreserved ring train service. Starting from 12 February until 28 February, the unreserved train (train number 05104) will operate on a circular route connecting Prayagraj with several key stations like Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, and Sultanpur. This move is expected to alleviate the pressure on existing trains and provide more options for the pilgrims.

In addition to these special trains, local authorities are doing everything they can to assist in crowd control at stations. Volunteers, train station staff, and local police have been deployed in large numbers to help passengers navigate the crush and maintain order.

Despite all the efforts to ease the burden on travelers, the sheer scale of the Kumbh Mela continues to push the system to its limits. The problem is not just overcrowding but also the lack of infrastructure and basic amenities to accommodate millions of people traveling for the religious event. The authorities face a daunting challenge to ensure the safety and well-being of the pilgrims as they journey to one of the holiest events in the world.

While the situation remains critical, the devotion of the millions of participants heading toward Prayagraj for their sacred bath is undeniable, and their unwavering faith continues to carry them through one of the most challenging travel experiences of their lives.

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