Title - No justification for Railways' Kumbh surcharge - Times Of India

LUCKNOW: To mop up an additional profit of Rs 1,000 crore from Kumbh traffic, the Indian Railways had imposed a Mela surcharge up to Rs 5 per ticket on the 750-odd Kumbh special trains operating supposedly since January 14. Crores of rupees were invested in setting up 133 temporary ticket counters, 1,900 extra coaches, etc. But for crowd management and medical emergency all that the railways did was "sensitise" the security personnel and spare 50-odd first aid kits. As a result, 36 innocents died and 39 were injured in a stampede that took place Allahabad Junction on Sunday evening.

A document of the Indian Railways, a copy of which is available with the TOI, speaks in detail about the arrangements made for easy movement of trains in the region during the Kumbh period. The special arrangements were to stay in place between January 14 and February 24, 2013.


The worst part is that the Indian Railways (as confirmed by the document) and the UP government failed to meet the emergency despite being aware, much in advance, of the expected heavy turnout of 3 crore plus people at Kumbh on the occasion of Mauni Amavasya. Eye-witnesses and those injured in the accident insisted that quick medical and relief response could have helped to arrest the death toll from exceeding 20. At least 6 injured, who were rescued after the stampede, succumbed to their injuries as medical help failed to reach them for two hours.

The documents speaks of goods traffic being restricted during Mela period at Subedarganj, Naini and Mirzapur districts and parcel booking restricted at Allahabad and Naini during the period. The document also speaks of adequate number of "signage" to guide passengers to the relevant enclosures giving direction wise color codes for convenience of passengers.

It also talks of widening of foot over-bridges (FOB), repairing and raising of staircases and platforms at Allahabad, Naini, Cheoki, Sangam Area, Vindhayachal, Daraganj and Jhunsi where 115 counters for Unreserved Tickets, 16 enquiry counters and two reservation counters were put up to cater to the pilgrims.

About crowd management, the document states: "Various committees have been nominated at officer/senior supervisor level to monitor various arrangements (Committees to look after sanitation, cleanliness, watering, passenger amenities, security & crowd management committee & catering needs)." BJP MP Murli Manohar Joshi has accused the Indian Railways of fleecing the pilgrims charging them extra as Mela surcharge and not bothering to arrange for a backup for any medical emergency.