Mumbai, Apr 2 (PTI) A comprehensive plan is being prepared for crowd management at key railway stations for the Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela, Central Railway said on Thursday while asserting that all works related to the mega event will be completed by March 31, 2027.

As part of the crowd management plan, holding areas will be created at these key stations, CR acting general manager Prateek Goswami said during a press conference here.

“Deolali, Lasalgaon, Nashik Road, Odha, Kasbe Sukane and Kherwadi stations have been identified for the exercise. In addition, Igatpuri and Sainagar Shirdi stations have also been included. Igatpuri is a popular tourist destination, while Shirdi is a major religious centre in Ahmednagar district,” Goswami said.

The top railway official said a detailed plan has been created for crowd management, including decisions on the number of CCTV cameras and audio (announcement) systems to be installed, passenger flow management, and the scheduling of train arrivals and departures.

“We are planning every aspect – how passengers will reach the stations and how they will disperse. A comprehensive plan is being prepared. All related works are targeted for completion by March 31, 2027, with train operations scheduled to begin in June 2027. All the stations will be ready by March 31, 2027,” Goswami said.

Close coordination is being maintained with the state government and regular meetings are held, he said, adding the chief secretary would review the works soon.

A total of 88 works costing Rs 1370 crore has been been sanctioned, another official said.

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela, held once every 12 years, attracts several crore devotees.

According to an earlier statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), approximately 2.5 crore people attended the 2015 Simhastha Kumbh Mela, while the number of attendees for the 2027 edition is expected to increase four to five times.

The Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha Kumbh Mela will commence on October 31, 2026, with ‘Dhwajarohan’ (flag hoisting) at Trimbakeshwar and Ramkund in Nashik.

On July 29, 2027, ‘Nagar Pradakshina’ will be held in Nashik, while the first ‘Amrut Snan’ (holy dip) in the Godavari river will take place on August 2, 2027.

The second Amrut Snan will be held on August 31, 2027, followed by the third and final one on September 11, 2027, in Nashik and on September 12, 2027, in Trimbakeshwar. PTI KK BNM