Prayagraj: Sangam city is expecting a 10% rise in the number of pilgrims at Magh Mela 2027, with nearly five crore devotees likely to converge on the city on Mauni Amavasya alone. To handle the anticipated rush, the railway, district administration and Mela Authority have begun coordinated preparations, including changes in pontoon bridge plans and arrangements at major railway stations.A coordination meeting for Magh Mela 2027 was held at the divisional railway manager’s office on Thursday, chaired by DRM Ranjish Agarwal. Police Commissioner Piyush Mordia, divisional commissioner Lokesh M and district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma were also present.Officials said Mela would be followed immediately by Kumbh in Haridwar, increasing the expected movement of pilgrims. Around 4.75 crore to 5 crore devotees are likely to visit Prayagraj on Mauni Amavasya, against 4.52 crore recorded in 2026.The six-lane bridge between Malak Harhar and Stanley Road is expected to be ready before Mela. In view of this, the two pontoon bridges earlier proposed at Phaphamau will not be constructed. Instead, two pontoon bridges will be built at Arail to facilitate movement of pilgrims.Mela Authority has also expedited preparations by floating tenders for 10 works covering key facilities. These include installation, maintenance and removal of tents, hangars and pagodas, temporary hospitals, community toilets, public address systems, catering services, photography and videography.Agencies will also be selected for supplying facility slips, setting up and maintaining temporary hospitals and providing rented toilets at camps. Officials said the arrangements were being planned so that work could begin immediately after the floodwater recedes.Agarwal suggested that competitive examinations should not be held in Prayagraj during Mela period to prevent additional pressure on roads and public transport and minimise inconvenience to pilgrims and locals.Prayagraj Junction, Prayagraj Chheoki, Naini and Subedarganj stations will be the key railway points for handling mela-bound passengers. The meeting also agreed to conduct a joint survey of major railway stations by railway and civil administrative officials to assess passenger movement and other requirements.
