Maha Kumbh stampede: In touch with authorities in Prayagraj, says Pune district collector

A ample fig of devotees from Maharashtra, particularly Pune, person headed to the Sangam to instrumentality a beatified dip connected the juncture of ‘Mauni Amavasya’. Overall, astatine slightest 10 crore pilgrims were expected to get connected Wednesday.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those who mislaid their loved ones connected Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said the concern was nether control.

This Kumbh has peculiar value for devotees owed to a uncommon celestial alignment occurring aft 144 years. District authorities said galore residents person availed of peculiar bid services to Prayagraj connected the occasion.

Mayur Saroj Rajput (Firdous), a manner decorator and contented developer, is among those who decided to spell for Wednesday’s Mauni Amavasya snan (bath). “As I americium a devotee of Lord Shiva, I knew I would instrumentality a beatified dip astatine this time. However, my program was made astatine the past minute,” helium said.

Initially, helium thought helium would spell connected his motorbike but dropped that plan. Instead, helium took a autobus to Bhopal and drove to Prayagraj with his friend, carrying a structure for accommodation. Asked astir the stampede, Rajput said, “My parent called maine doubly but I assured her that each volition beryllium well.”

Sachin Patil from Ambhi colony successful Solapur’s Pandharpur taluka drove to Prayagraj with 4 of his friends. “We decided to thrust arsenic it was a last-moment program and having our ain conveyance volition let america to beryllium mobile,” helium said. Patil, who took the ineffable dip successful the Sangam connected Monday, praised the arrangements. “We visited Varanasi and are present connected our mode to Ayodha,” helium added.

Special trains from Pune to Prayagraj

According to details provided by a Pune Railway Division official, the railways has been operating 8 peculiar trains for Kumbh Mela 2025, either originating successful Pune oregon passing through. Two trains—01455 Pune-Mau and 01456 Mau-Pune—will beryllium successful work till February to facilitate nonstop question for pilgrims from Pune.

Additionally, six long-distance trains to cardinal Kumbh Mela destinations are passing done Pune, connecting large cities. These see Bengaluru-Varanasi (06579), Hubballi-Lucknow (07373), Hubbali-Tundla (07379 and 07381), and Tundla-Hubbali (07380 and 07382).

Regular bid services are besides disposable for passengers, including Gyan Ganga Express (22131) moving connected Mondays, Pune-Gorakhpur Express (11037) connected Thursdays and Pune-Darbhanga Express (11033) connected Wednesdays.

Local circuit operators successful Pune said that determination were respective enquiries astir Kumbh Mela bookings but galore were discouraged by the highly precocious formation and edifice costs. “People tin spell to Dubai astatine the aforesaid outgo and radical deliberation astir that arsenic well, truthful we had a fewer bookings only,” said a circuit operator.

Sachin Kapile of SaiShraddha Tours successful Deccan said the institution had 35-40 bookings for Prayagraj from Pune. “Hotels that utilized to outgo Rs 700-800 are going for Rs 5,000-10,000 now. So adjacent though determination was a immense demand, not galore radical booked,” helium added.