500 extra trains to run for Krishna Pushkaram festival
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India’s South Central Railway (SCR) will run 500 special trains in August 2016 to cater for an expected rise in passenger demand during the Krishna Pushkaram festival, which occurs once every 12 years.
The Hindu reports that the railway company will also spend INR326.8 million (US$4.9m) to improve amenities for the pilgrims.
“Though the main focus of the pilgrims will be on Vijayawada, we are gearing up to face rush in Krishna Canal Junction, Gunadala, Rayanapadu Madhuranagar and Gadwal among others stations,” Ravindra Gupta, General Manager of SCR told the newspaper.
Approximately 2,000 additional coaches will be deployed on the rail services, and SCR also plans to create new passenger areas at nine stations, three new escalators at Vijayawada station, more footbridges and additional booking counters.
The Andhra Pradesh government estimates that 267,000 passengers per day will travel by train on normal days during the festival, and up to 500,000 on peak days.
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