Central Railway Ferries 1.13 Lakh Pilgrims During Ashadhi Wari

Central Railway successfully managed the movement of over 1.13 lakh pilgrims during the Ashadhi Wari 2026 celebrations at Pandharpur.

The annual pilgrimage, held on July 25, witnessed elaborate arrangements at Pandharpur railway station, with Central Railway ensuring smooth operations through meticulous planning, inter-departmental coordination and round-the-clock monitoring.

A total of 100 trains operated to and from Pandharpur over the three peak days—35 on July 24, 34 on July 25 and 31 on July 26—compared to 91 trains during the corresponding period last year.

Passenger footfall at the station during July 24-26 stood at about 1,13,197, up from 1,10,066 in 2025. Originating passenger revenue during the three-day period rose 20 per cent to ₹1.27 crore from ₹1.07 crore a year ago.

To handle the rush, the railway opened five additional booking counters, deployed five Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs) and 10 Mobile Unreserved Ticketing System (MUTS) devices, while encouraging passengers to use the RailOne app for mobile ticketing.

Barricading and scientific queue management were also implemented across the station. Passenger amenities included over 12,300 sq m of waterproof holding areas, an additional 1,320 sq m of waiting space, 188 toilets and round-the-clock housekeeping.

A Command and Control Centre linked to 80 CCTV cameras monitored the station, while multilingual public announcements and video walls kept passengers informed. Medical teams treated 1,219 devotees during the festival, and four scratch rakes were kept ready to operate additional special trains if required.

NGOs and charitable organisations also distributed free meals to nearly one lakh pilgrims during the event. The success of the operations is a testament to the efficient planning and execution by Central Railway.

The Ashadhi Wari festival is an important event in the Hindu calendar, and the railway's efforts ensured a smooth and comfortable journey for the pilgrims. The increased revenue and passenger footfall are a reflection of the railway's ability to handle large crowds and provide quality services.

In conclusion, Central Railway's successful management of the Ashadhi Wari festival is a significant achievement, demonstrating the railway's commitment to providing efficient and safe services to its passengers.

The festival's success also highlights the importance of effective planning and coordination in handling large crowds and providing quality services. As the railway continues to improve its services, it is likely to see increased passenger footfall and revenue in the future.

The success of the Ashadhi Wari festival operations is a positive development for the railway and its passengers, and it is expected to have a positive impact on the railway's services in the future.