The opposition Congress and the Samajwadi party have been critical of the Indian Railways for running special trains for ‘communal’ reasons. But the ruling BJP government defends saying, the trains were introduced on the basis of demands of the devotees.

Notwithstanding political view points, the Railways managed rail traffic during the Mauni Amavasya period, operating 244 special trains across the country since 3 January 2026, ensuring smooth and convenient travel for Hindu devotees. 

These trains, run by 31 trains of Northern Railway (NR), 158 trains of North Central Railway (NCR), and 55 trains of North Eastern Railway (NER), served around 4.5 lakh passengers. 

The special services were planned and managed carefully to facilitate hassle-free journeys and safe travel during the festive period.

On 18 January, Prayagraj witnessed the peak of festive travel with 40 special trains in operation, including 11 trains of NR, 22 trains of NCR, and 7 trains of NER, carrying approximately 1 lakh passengers. Notably, all regular trains ran as scheduled, demonstrating effective planning and operational efficiency by Indian Railways.

The successful operation of these special trains reflects Indian Railways’ commitment to providing safe, convenient, and uninterrupted services to passengers during peak festive periods. The railways continue to leverage technology, resource planning, and coordination across zones to manage large-scale passenger movements efficiently.