Mahakumbh: 'Run as many trains from Prayagraj as needed', Railway Minister's instructions after a stampede in Mahakumbh

After the stampede in Prayagraj during the Mahakumbh, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav reviewed the train services on Wednesday. During this, he directed the officials to run trains according to the increasing needs of the passengers in Prayagraj.

According to the press note of the Ministry of Railways, after the stampede in Mahakumbh, Railway Minister Vaishnav visited the 24x7 war room set up in Rail Bhavan to monitor the facilities of the passengers and train operations. During this, he reviewed the train services.

Instructions to operate trains according to needs

Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity, Railway Board said that Railway Minister Vaishnav has directed the officials to keep an eye on the situation and plan as well as operate trains according to the increasing needs. He said that the Railways is fully prepared to deal with any situation arising from the current scenario.

Railway Board Chairman present in the war room throughout the day

The press note also stated that Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar was present in the war room throughout the day to monitor train operations and ensured that train services from Prayagraj were given high priority. The press note stated that at least 30 people were killed and 60 injured in a stampede in the Sangam area of ​​​​the Maha Kumbh on Wednesday on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya.

Railway Board made rules for the implementation and functioning of Kavach

Two years after deploying the Automatic Security System (ATP) Kavach on a 1465 km long route in the South Central Zone of Railways, the Railway Board has incorporated it in the Railway Act of 1989. Along with this, rules have been made for its functioning. Kavach was adopted as the National ATP System in July 2020. It was first deployed in 2023 on a 1465 km route in South Central Railway.

Security experts said that this deployment helped in developing an understanding about its functioning and optimization. This has helped in framing rules for its implementation. The government, through a gazette notification on January 2, amended the Railways Act 1989 to define the shield. The board made separate new rules about its functioning and the role of the security department in the shield operational area.