Prayagraj prepares for Mahakumbh; transport infra gets revamped

Mahakumbh is slated to commence from January 13 and will continue till February 26, in which around 40 crore devotees from across the country and abroad are likely to congregate

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Prayagraj Mahakumbh
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Prayagraj: With the Mahakumbh around the corner, infrastructure and facilities of three major modes of communication–airways, railways and roadways–are being upgraded at Prayagraj and adjacent places to ensure a comfortable trip to the Sangam city of Uttar Pradesh.

While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has significantly upgraded Prayagraj airport to serve around 2,000 passengers daily, Indian Railways has substantially enhanced passengers’ amenities at Prayagraj and Phaphamau junctions to deal with heavy rush of devotees. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has already launched a number of electric buses to ferry devotees from airport, railway stations and other locations to the Kumbh city.

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The Mahakumbh is slated to commence from January 13 and will continue till February 26, in which around 40 crore devotees from across the country and abroad are likely to congregate. The State government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have amplified the scale of religious festival with an apparent aim to bolster its ‘Hidutva agenda’.

Prayagraj airport getting revamped

Civil work at Prayagraj Airport is going on at a rapid pace. It will become the first airport in the state to have six aerobridges in the next few days. The airport is also getting equipped with CAT-2 system to allow night landing of aeroplanes. Check-in counters are also being increased to 42 from the existing 11.

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Once upgraded, the airport will be able to handle around 2,000 passengers daily. The capacity of the terminal building of the airport has already been increased to 850 passengers from 350 passengers. Another taxi-way has also been constructed to connect the main runway to the terminal at the airport.

Prayagraj airport has been connected to Hyderabad with a direct flight. The Raipur flight, which was discontinued since last year, is being resumed. Akasa Air also started a direct flight from Prayagraj to Mumbai.

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UPSRTC braces up for Mahakumbh

The state transport corporation, UPSRTC, has launched operations of dozens of electric buses ahead of Mahakumbh to serve the devotees. Pilgrims can book their seats in the buses online and keep track of their vehicle locations around the clock. Besides, new city buses were started from the old city to provide relief to the passengers without much issues. Bus operators have also reduced the fare of AC buses to make the best of the grand celebration.

In view of Mahakumbh, Prayagraj Development Authority is building 42 roads in the city to keep traffic congestion free. Work on many roads has been completed while the remaining work is expected to be completed by mid-Jan. Roads connecting Sangam are being revamped. Not only main roads, but Prayagraj Municipal Corporation has also opened treasury to brighten small lanes.

Also Read: ECR to operate clones of Sampoorn Kranti, Mahabodhi exp till Jul 1

Railways gears up to bolster passengers’ amenities

In view of Mahakumbh, the railways has spent a sum of ₹500-crore to give a facelift to station buildings at Prayagraj and Phaphamau junctions. Grand buildings have been built by expanding Prayag and Phaphamau railway stations. The number of 12-meter wide footover bridges and platforms was increased.

Prayagraj railway station

The stations will have 70 sleeping pods to allow passengers a cozy stay, while waiting for their trains. Baby fun rooms are also set up for the children to keep them engaged, when their parents go for rituals. Phaphamau station now boasts of entrance gates on both sides.A number of road over bridges and underpasses have been constructed to get rid of level crossings in the city.

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Two Vande Bharat express trains from Prayagraj to Gorakhpur and Varanais to Agra Cantt has been started started. As of now, four Vande Bharat trains are running from the city.

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