Located at Leader Road, Prayagraj, this historic and bustling hub—formerly known as Allahabad Junction—has long served as the headquarters of the North Central Railway zone. With ten platforms and twenty tracks, it connects critical routes like Howrah–Delhi, Varanasi–Prayagraj–Mumbai, and the Ayodhya line, making it a key transit center in Uttar Pradesh.
A Station Steeped in History
Open since 1859, Prayagraj Junction has witnessed the evolution of Indian Railways—from steam locomotives to electric trains. Electrification in 1965–66 modernized operations on lines like Cheoki–Subedarganj, setting the stage for decades of rail growth.
Ongoing Redevelopment: A ₹960 Crore Plan
Ahead of Maha Kumbh 2025, Indian Railways has launched a massive redevelopment project worth ₹960 crore, the single largest investment in the country for station modernization.
a. Phase II began in February 2025 with pillar piling on platforms 7 and 8 to construct a 72-meter-wide concourse on the Civil Lines side. Platforms 9 and 10 had earlier undergone similar upgrades, leading to temporary relocation of 27 trains to Cheoki station.
b. This concourse will house ticket counters, escalators, lifts, and a multi-level commercial complex, making it comparable to modern airports.
c. A new nine‑storey barrack for 200 RPF (Railway Protection Force) personnel is also under construction at a cost of ₹14.81 crore.
Station Amenities: World-Class Comfort
Prayagraj Junction now offers facilities on par with major metropolitan stations:
a. Airport-style boarding passes at check-in counters
b. Wi-Fi, multiple retiring rooms, and a 20-bed dormitory
c. Over 39 escalators and 42 lifts to ease passenger flow between platforms, ramps for accessibility, and a VIP lounge area.
Access Changes During Construction
To support redevelopment, entry from Smith Road on the Civil Lines side has been closed for four months starting June 2025. Passengers have been advised to use Gate No. 3, Gate No. 4, or the entrance beside Coral Club to access platforms 4 to 10.
Maha Kumbh 2025: Handling an Ocean of Pilgrims
During Maha Kumbh 2025, Prayagraj division handled massive surges in railway traffic:
a. Over 13,000 trains, including 3,000 special services, were deployed to manage pilgrims during Makar Sankranti and Shivaratri events.
b. For crowd control, railway authorities directed entry and exit by specific station sides: City Side entry and Civil Lines exit, with separate gates for reserved and unreserved passengers.
c. Face-recognition and extensive CCTV systems (nearly 650 CCTV and 100 facial-recognition units) were installed to ensure safety in large crowds.
Rail Flyover & Traffic Whitens
Part of the Mission Raftaar initiative, a nearly 3 km rail flyover from Subedarganj to Bamrauli is nearing completion (≈80%), expected to be operational by December 2025. This ₹493 crore project will allow trains to bypass outer signals, improving punctuality and reducing congestion at Prayagraj Junction.
Water Access & Passenger Comfort
A new Rail Neer bottling plant is being built in Saraswati Hi-Tech City, Naini, with a daily capacity of 100,000 litres. It will supply 22,000 litres daily to Prayagraj Junction, ensuring clean drinking water and wider reach to neighboring major stations.
Connectivity & Strategic Role
a. Prayagraj Junction serves as the railhead for India’s spiritual epicenter, linking regions to the Triveni Sangam, temples, and heritage sites.
b. The station also serves the Gorakhpur–Prayagraj Vande Bharat Express, a high-speed AC service operating six days a week, offering modern amenities like Wi-Fi, tray tables, rotating seats, and onboard catering for the ~500 km journey.
c. As part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Prayagraj is one of the first in Uttar Pradesh undergoing a comprehensive makeover for global travelers and domestic visitors alike.
Government Vision & Urban Growth
With Maha Kumbh 2025, the government also unveiled broader city-level upgrades:
a. Projects under ₹5,500 crore were launched to improve roads, riverfronts, and temple corridors, enhancing overall city infrastructure around rail connectivity.
b. The construction of the Ganga Expressway reaching Prayagraj by late 2024 and new corridors across the state boost regional linkages and make the station part of a bigger growth story.
Challenges Ahead
a. Redevelopment has caused access disruption—it demanded temporary platform closures and changed entry routes, leading to passenger inconvenience in transition phases.
b. The huge passenger influx during major events still tests station management and cleaning services, and maintaining infrastructure quality is an ongoing challenge.
c. Seasonal weather patterns like monsoon may affect operations, though no significant weather-related disruptions have recently been reported.
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Station Code | PRYJ |
| Platforms/Tracks | 10 / 20 |
| Daily Passenger Rank | Among Top 100 in Indian Railways |
| Redevelopment Budget | ₹960 Crore under Amrit Bharat |
| New Concourse | 72 m wide, amenities like escalators, lifts |
| VIP & RPF Facilities | 9-storey RPF barrack, VIP lounge |
| Special Services | Vande Bharat, Wi-Fi, smart boarding passes |
| Maha Kumbh Transit | 13,000+ trains, crowd management systems |
| Rail Flyover | 3 km, ready by Dec 2025 for smoother flow |
| Water Supply Boost | New Rail Neer plant supplies station daily |
Looking Forward
Once completed, the Prayagraj Junction transformation will position it as an example of blending heritage with high-tech functionality. With expanded capacity, clean facilities, smarter crowd control, and better connectivity, travelers and pilgrims can expect a far more managed and comfortable rail experience.
