Summary:
Facilities and amenities at Allahabad Junction station are being upgraded and strengthened to facilitate pilgrims during their visit to the Kumbh Mela next year. ALLAHABAD: In an important decision relating to the Kumbh Mela , authorities of North Central Railway (NCR) has decided not to increase the existing " mela surcharge " on the tickets of its trains in different classes.NCR, which is gearing up in a major way for the mega-event, announced that there would be no increase in the existing mela surcharge that is currently being levied on tickets in case of major melas (fairs) like the Quar Navratri Mela that is currently on in Vindhyachal and Maihar stations.CPRO, NCR, G K Bansal said that it is important to note that the existing mela surcharge will only be levied in respect of tickets issued from mela station and also on return tickets to the mela station and back. This surcharge will not be levied on single journey tickets issued from various station of Indian Railways (IR) to the mela station.Another important fact is that the existing mela surcharge will be levied only respect of tickets costing more than Rs 15 (basic fare).Speaking on the decision, GM, NCR, Rajiv Chaudhry said that while there is major investment by the Railways in the Kumbh Mela, the burden of the same would not be passed on to the pilgrims and tourists coming to Allahabad to participate in the Kumbh. "We are in the process of completing major infrastructure-augmentation works in Allahabad comprising of all three railways-NCR, NR and NER, to the tune of about Rs 700 Crore which will make the Kumbh-experience of the pilgrims and tourists pleasant and memorable” he added.It is also pertinent to mention here that the NCR has already completed 14 works directly related to the Kumbh costing Rs 112 Crore, while 32 works costing Rs 591 Crore are under progress and will be completed before the Mela..