From Pravasi Diwas To Kumbh Mela: Indian Railways To Run Special Trains To Ferry NRIs From Allahabad To Delhi

The Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD) event in 2019 has been shifted in order to coincide with the Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj (Allahabad) and Republic Day Parade in New Delhi. Indian diaspora around the world will attend the PBD event and many of them will visit the Kumbh Mela and after that, the Republic Day parade event.

In order to ferry these delegates from Kumbh Mela to Delhi for the Republic Day parade, Indian Railways has planned to run ‘Pravasi Bharti’ trains. The third AC coaches of these special trains will be converted into second AC coaches in order to provide more comfort to delegates, Indian Express has reported.

The 15th PBD is being held at Varanasi from 21 to 23 January which will give the Indian diaspora attending the event an opportunity to participate in the Kumbh Snan. Special arrangements have been made for the delegates at the sangam. Those Indian diaspora who wish to participate in the Kumbh Snan will have to register on the website of the PBD by 15 November.

The government has instructed railways to prepare for up to 5,000 delegates who will participate in the Kumbh event in Prayagraj.

A large number of devotees from all around the country travel in railways to reach the site of one of the holiest congregations of Hinduism which will start on 14 January 2019 and will take place till 4 March 2019. Delegates of the Indian diaspora will visit the holy event on 24 January.

Accommodation for the delegates will be made at Prayagraj while IRCTC will provide complementary dinner and breakfast to them.

A meeting has been called by the Ministry of External Affairs to review plans for the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas which will be attended by all ministries concerned with the event, including railways.