Railways Gears Up for Nashik Simhastha 2027 with ₹1,000+ Cr Infra Overhaul

The Railways has devised a region-wide, integrated development plan focused on key junctions around Nashik.

As the sacred city of Nashik prepares to host the Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2027, the Ministry of Railways has swung into early action to ensure robust connectivity, superior passenger amenities, and seamless crowd management. Taking cues from the successful management of the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025, the Indian Railways has initiated comprehensive infrastructure upgrades and operational planning to support what is anticipated to be a record-breaking spiritual congregation.

On July 25, 2025, Union Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw and Minister of State Shri Ravneet Singh Bittu conducted an in-depth review of Simhastha-related preparations in a high-level meeting attended by senior officials of the Railway Board, Central Railway, and Bhusaval Division. The aim: to ensure the seamless movement of over 3 crore pilgrims expected to visit Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in 2027.

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Strengthening Regional Rail Connectivity for Simhastha

The Railways has devised a region-wide, integrated development plan focused on key junctions around Nashik. The five pivotal stations identified for managing Simhastha traffic are:

• Nashik Road

• Devlali

• Odha

• Kherwadi

• Kasbe Sukene

Each of these stations will undergo major capacity expansion and modernization, with an overall projected investment exceeding ₹1,011 crore.

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Key Infrastructure Upgrades at the 5 Strategic Stations

1. Nashik Road Station:

• Platform 4 will be made bi-directional, and Platform 1 extended to fit 24-coach trains.

• A 12-meter-wide FOB (Foot Over Bridge) will be constructed.

• The existing goods shed will serve as a holding area for pilgrims.

• Stabling lines, upgraded platform surfaces, new Mela towers, and boundary wall reconstruction are also planned.

2. Devlali Station:

• Construction of additional platforms and two 6m wide FOBs.

• Installation of advanced coach and wagon examination infrastructure.

• Three stabling lines, two pit lines, and a sewage treatment plant (STP) are also proposed.

3. Odha Station:

• Development of a new island platform with loop lines.

• Four 6m wide FOBs to handle peak crowds.

• Extensive yard remodeling and construction of five stabling lines.

• Long-haul loop line to support train turnaround operations.

4. Kherwadi Station:

• A new down platform will be added.

• Two 6m wide FOBs and yard remodeling works will facilitate smoother operations.

5. Kasbe Sukene Station:

• Platform extensions, two FOBs, and a common dispatch area are planned.

• Enhancements in passenger handling areas will accommodate Simhastha's high footfall.

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Passenger Amenities and Accessibility Upgrades

Beyond track and platform upgrades, Indian Railways will enhance passenger comfort and safety through:

• Cover Over Platforms (COPs)

• Toilets, drinking water stations, and water tanks

• Waterproof waiting and holding areas

• Expanded circulating areas and smoother entry/exit points

• Upgraded Passenger Information Systems (PIS) for multilingual, real-time updates

Out of the 65 proposed works, 33 have already been sanctioned, and the remaining are slated for expedited approval to ensure completion within the next two years.

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Special Train Operations for Simhastha 2027

Given the 50-fold increase in expected turnout compared to Simhastha 2015, Railways is preparing an elaborate train deployment strategy to manage the influx.

• Long-distance special trains will connect Nashik to key pilgrimage corridors such as Kamakhya, Howrah, Patna, Delhi, Jaipur, Bikaner, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, and Nanded.

• A fleet of short-distance MEMU services will provide seamless regional connectivity.

• A dedicated round-trip special circuit train will link Trimbakeshwar, Grishneshwar, and Omkareshwar, integrating three sacred Jyotirlingas into a single religious journey.

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Modern Command & Control Systems for Crowd Management

To ensure efficient handling of massive crowds, Indian Railways is setting up:

• Large holding areas at each of the five stations

• A centralised command and control centre equipped with:

  • CCTV surveillance for real-time crowd monitoring

  • AI-based predictive analytics tools for train scheduling and traffic flow management

This tech-enabled approach will ensure safety, minimal congestion, and real-time decision-making throughout the Simhastha period.

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Coordination with Maharashtra State Government

The Ministry of Railways is maintaining close coordination with the Maharashtra state government. Regular discussions are underway between railway officials and counterparts from urban development, law enforcement, public health, and transport departments.

A joint high-level review is scheduled in the coming months with Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis to track implementation progress and streamline inter-agency collaboration.

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A Blueprint for Mega Religious Events

Through this early and detailed planning, the Indian Railways is creating a national model for handling mega religious events, demonstrating its capacity to integrate infrastructure development with public service excellence. The upcoming Simhastha 2027 in Nashik-Trimbakeshwar promises to set new benchmarks in faith-based tourism logistics, ensuring spiritual journeys are made safe, comfortable, and memorable for millions of pilgrims.