GUWAHATI, June 21 - The Maligaon-headquartered Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has geared up to handle smoothly the extra rush of passengers expected in the city during the Ambubachi Mela starting from tomorrow.
The Kamakhya station of the NFR is expected to witness a huge congregation of passengers during the Mela.
NFR General Manager HK Jaggi today carried out an inspection of the Kamakhya station along with senior officials to take stock of the arrangements to handle the large volume of passenger traffic at the station. Jaggi instructed all officials concerned to make adequate arrangements to handle large numbers of pilgrims during the Mela from June 22 to June 26. A 24-hour control room has been set up at the station, which will be manned by the staff from various departments including the RPF.
For the convenience of passengers, extra booking counters have been opened and additional toilets have been provided. In compliance with the request of the State Government, water supply and round-the-clock electricity for all pilgrims in the Kamakhya camp has been provided by the Railways. The Indian Railways have also augmented the existing arrangements for continuous cleaning of the station premises.
Additional security personnel have been deployed to ensure foolproof security. As many as 250 volunteers from the Railway Scouts and Guides have been deployed round the clock for the smooth boarding and deboarding of pilgrims in trains.
For pilgrims coming from different parts of the country, especially West Bengal, two special trains are being run between Kamakhya and Malda Town, and Kamakhya and Howrah. The NFR has also requested the public and all stakeholders to maintain discipline and decorum in the railway station premises so that the travelling pilgrims do not suffer due to overcrowding, and all amenities like toilets and drinking water are accessible to all.
