Mahakumbh 2025 Train Chaos: 10 People in a Toilet, 350 in AC Coach — Inside the Overcrowded Journey to Prayagraj

Shocking reports reveal 10 passengers crammed into a train toilet and 350 in an AC coach amid Mahakumbh rush. Discover the chaos, struggles, and railway responses.

Prayagraj Train Travel Turns Nightmare: Passengers Battle Overcrowding, Missed Trains, and Safety Risks

As millions flock to Prayagraj for Mahakumbh 2025, the Indian Railways faces unprecedented chaos. Reports from Dainik Bhaskar and other outlets paint a grim picture: passengers stuck in toilets, AC coaches bursting at 350 people, and crowds so dense that travelers missed three consecutive trains . Here’s an in-depth look at the crisis unfolding on rails.

1. “10 People in the Toilet, 350 in AC Coach”: The Horror Stories

The Mahakumbh pilgrimage has turned train travel into a survival test:

ट्रेन के टॉयलेट में 10 लोग, हिलना तक मुश्किल: भीड़ ऐसी कि प्रयागराज जाने वाली 3 ट्रेनें छूटीं, चौथी में AC बोगी में 350 लोग#MahaKumbh2025 #UttarPradesh #Bihar #Prayagraj https://t.co/a6oI1B2JwE pic.twitter.com/Gj9w3fLbfm

— Dainik Bhaskar (@DainikBhaskar) February 18, 2025

• Toilets Turned “Seating Areas”: Passengers reported 10 people crammed into a single toilet to escape overcrowded compartments. Others stood for hours in corridors, unable to move .
• AC Coaches Overloaded: An AC coach designed for 72 passengers reportedly held 350 people, with passengers sitting on floors, berths, and even luggage racks .
• Missed Trains, Lost Patience: At Ghaziabad Station, travelers missed three trains due to overcrowding. One passenger lamented, “Even reserved seats were inaccessible — the crowd was like a tsunami” .

2. Why Is This Happening? The Perfect Storm

• Mahakumbh Rush: Over 14.76 lakh passengers traveled from Prayagraj stations in a single day, overwhelming the 339 trains deployed .
• Infrastructure Shortfalls: Despite special trains like the Kiul-Prayagraj Mahakumbh Special (launched on Feb 19), coaches remain packed. General compartments saw 3x their capacity .
• Security Lapses: At Ghaziabad Station, no GRP or RPF personnel were present to manage crowds, leading to dangerous boarding attempts .

3. Railway Response: Band-Aid Solutions or Real Relief?

Authorities claim they’re tackling the crisis:

• Emergency Plans Activated: Holding areas like Khusrobagh diverted crowds, and entry-exit systems were enforced to prevent stampedes .
• Special Trains & Refunds: Over 300 trains ran daily, with refunds offered for missed bookings. Help desks and guides were deployed at key stations .
• Criticism Mounts: Passengers argue measures are “too little, too late.” A traveler from Delhi said, “Trains every 4 minutes? We waited 6 hours!” .

Read more: Shankaracharya criticises officials over NGT report on unsafe water quality in Maha Kumbh

4. Safety Risks: From Toilets to Derailments

• Derailment Close Call: A major accident was narrowly avoided in Prayagraj when a youth flagged down a goods train moments before it crossed a broken track .
• Stampede Fears: Videos of overcrowded platforms went viral, though some were debunked as old clips from Barsana . Real footage, however, shows passengers hanging off doors and jumping tracks .

5. The Bigger Picture: Can India Handle Mega Events?

The Mahakumbh crisis highlights systemic issues:

• Seasonal Surge vs. Year-Round Neglect: While temporary fixes like holding areas help, long-term upgrades to tracks and coaches are overdue .
• Public Anger Peaks: Protests erupted after trains were canceled or delayed, with passengers burning coaches in Bihar .
• Lessons for Future: Officials admit “unprecedented crowds” but lack contingency plans for scale. As one traveler put it, “Faith brought us here, but the journey tested it” .

Final Word: A Call for Accountability

The Mahakumbh 2025 train chaos is more than a logistical failure — it’s a wake-up call. While Railways’ efforts like special trains and refunds are commendable, the sheer scale of overcrowding and safety lapses demand urgent reforms. For pilgrims, the message is clear: brace for chaos or wait for change.