In anticipation of a massive surge of pilgrims for the upcoming Magh Mela 2026, the Prayagraj Division of the North Central Railway (NCR) has announced a temporary shutdown of parking facilities at key railway stations in the holy city. This decisive step aims to ensure passenger safety and enable smooth crowd movement during the significant religious gathering.
Parking Restrictions at Major Hubs
The railway administration has confirmed that parking services will be suspended at three major stations: Prayagraj Junction, Subedarganj, and Prayagraj Chheoki. According to Amit Kumar Singh, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Prayagraj Division, these restrictions are a crucial component of a comprehensive safety and traffic management blueprint. The primary goal is to prevent dangerous congestion on station premises and facilitate the orderly movement of lakhs of devotees.
Detailed Closure Schedule
The parking closures will be implemented with specific timelines at each location. Passengers need to take careful note of these dates while planning their travel to Prayagraj for the Magh Mela.
At Prayagraj Junction, the cycle, scooter, and car parking stand on the city side will remain completely closed until February 17. Meanwhile, the Civil Lines side parking facility, which accommodates cycles, scooters, motorcycles, e-rickshaws, and cars, will see phased closures. These phases are scheduled from January 2 to January 5; January 13 to January 26; January 31 to February 3; and again from February 14 to February 17.
The Subedarganj station will also see similar measures. The Rajrooppur side parking stand will be shut until February 17. Additionally, the parking on the Sulem Sarai side will be closed during the same phased periods as the Civil Lines parking at Prayagraj Junction: January 2-5, January 13-26, January 31-February 3, and February 14-17.
Likewise, the parking stand at Prayagraj Chheoki station will be non-operational until February 17.
Appeal to Passengers and Pilgrims
The railway authorities have issued a strong appeal to all passengers and devotees intending to visit Prayagraj during the Magh Mela period. They are urged to factor in these parking restrictions well in advance when organizing their journeys. Travelers should consider using public transport, authorized taxi services, or other drop-off points to reach the stations, as private vehicle parking will be severely limited.
This proactive move by the North Central Railway underscores the extensive preparations underway to host the millions of pilgrims expected for the Magh Mela 2026, prioritizing safety and efficient crowd management above all.
