GUWAHATI, June 18 - The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has geared up to handle the extra rush of passengers expected at the Guwahati and Kamakhya stations during the Ambubachi Mela starting from June 22.
The Kamakhya Station is expected to witness a huge congregation of passengers during the Mela, said NF Railway Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Pranav Jyoti Sharma.
The General Manager of NF Railway, Chahatey Ram, along with senior railway officials, has taken stock of the preparedness for handling the expected large volume of passenger traffic at the station.
Ram has instructed all officials concerned to ensure adequate arrangements for handling a large number of pilgrims during the Mela from June 22 to 26 next.
Sharma said that the NF Railway would deploy adequate security staff at platforms, entry gates, level-crossing gates and nearby railway tracks to streamline the rush of pilgrims.
�Railway doctors with medical staff and ambulances will be deployed to provide medical assistance to the pilgrims. Proper sanitation at stations will be maintained by deploying additional staff with necessary materials on round-the-clock basis and additional drinking water facilities for pilgrims will be provided in station areas,� he said.
NF Railway authorities have taken steps to see to it that the approach to the Kamakhya Station is kept free from any encroachment during the Ambubachi Mela for ease of movement of pilgrims.
�Volunteers from the Railway Scouts and Guides will be deployed round-the-clock to ensure smooth movement of pilgrims during boarding and de-boarding of trains. All ticket counters, both reserved and unreserved, will be manned round the clock during the Mela days and additional ticket checking teams will also be deployed during the period,� said Sharma.
He added that additional sleeper class and general second class coaches are being added to the Kanchenjungha Express for the Mela days.
Besides, general second class coaches are being added during this period to other trains also.
�Liaison with the State Government is being maintained for smooth functioning of all facilities during the Mela. A 24-hour control room is being set up at the Kamakhya Station, which will be manned by staff from various departments, including RPF,� said the NF Railway CPRO.
