Amid shortcomings, over 1,400 pilgrims from coast complete Kumbh Mela yatra on the special train

Over 1,400 pilgrims from coastal Karnataka complete Maha Kumbh Mela yatra via special train with some shortcomings.

Over 1,400 pilgrims from coastal Karnataka and adjoining Malnad districts completed their Maha Kumbh Mela yatra at the Prayagraj through a special train operated by the Railway Ministry between February 17 and 22 amid some shortcomings, including late running of the train, non-availability of pantry car services, etc.

Konkan Railway Corporation (KRCL) arranged the services, Udupi-Tundla (Prayagraj)-Udupi Maha Kumbh Special Express (Train on Demand) on the request of Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary to the Railway Ministry. The special train left Udupi on February 17 to reach Prayagraj on Wednesday and the return service left Prayagraj on February 20 to return to Udupi on February 22.

Flagging off of the inaugural special at Udupi Railway Station saw enthusiastic pilgrims from across the coast eager to take the holy dip at the Triveni Sangam of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayagraj. Udupi Pejawar Mutt Seer Vishwaprasanna Tirtha Swami flagged off the train in the presence of Mr. Poojary and Gurme Suresh Shetty and Yashpal Suvarna, MLAs.

“While people from Karnataka visited Prayagraj through different modes of travel, Many from coastal Karnataka embarked upon the pilgrimage only after the special train was introduced,” said Mahalinga Bhat from Heranjal in Byndoor taluk, who was travelling with his family. . In his 70’s, Mr. Bhat said if not the special train, his children would not have thought about the yatra.

Similar was the case with many other travellers, who had found air travel being exorbitant, travel by road cumbersome and no regular direct train service from the coast. “Train service to Prayagraj was the best option as one could directly land into the holy city without the hassle of negotiating traffic snarls,” said Venkatesh Kamath from Shirva.

KRCL arranged the rake, comprising 12 second class sleeper, five AC 3-tier, one AC 2-tier, four general second class and one pantry car coaches, sourced from South Central Railway. Lack of onboard food services haunted travellers much as even online food delivery was affected due to the perpetual late running of the train in both the directions.

The train was late by six hours while reaching Prayagraj on February 19 and Udupi on February 22. Opening of the coach water tank cover of B4 coach at Chiplun in the return trip added to the delay. Mr. Poojary was present to receive the pilgrims at Udupi Railway Station on Saturday midnight.