Claims are circulating that the Indian Railways has decided to cancel all special trains heading to Prayagraj following the stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela. However, these claims are false. According to reports, the Ministry of Railways has stated that “The Railways has planned to run more than 360 trains from the various stations in the Prayagraj region today. As of now, there is no plan to cancel any special train.”
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter) Aaj Tak reported that, Maha Kumbh stampede: Many trains coming to Prayagraj were diverted, and all special trains were also cancelled till further orders. Because of the excessive crowd on the day of Mauni Amavasya in Prayagraj, the operation of Maha Kumbh Mela special trains going from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction to Prayagraj has been stopped. Due to this, there is a crowd of devotees going to Prayagraj at the junction. The operation of the rest of the Kumbh Mela special trains running on different routes continues as usual. Only the Kumbh Mela special trains coming to Prayagraj from Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Junction have been stopped. But regular trains are running.
महाकुंभ भगदड़: प्रयागराज आ रहीं कई ट्रेनें डायवर्ट की गईं, सारी स्पेशल ट्रेनें भी अगले आदेश तक रद्द
— AajTak (@aajtak) January 29, 2025
प्रयागराज में मौनी अमावस्या के दिन अत्यधिक भीड़ को देखते हुए पंडित दीनदयाल उपाध्याय जंक्शन से प्रयागराज जाने वाली महाकुंभ मेला स्पेशल ट्रेनों का परिचालन रोक दिया गया है. इसके चलते… pic.twitter.com/r9b7wldZ8I
Another media outlet @oneindiaHindi also made a post and wrote, Maha Kumbh stampede: Many trains coming to Prayagraj were diverted, all special trains were also cancelled till further orders. PM Modi spoke to CM Yogi for the third time within 2 hours.
महाकुंभ भगदड़: प्रयागराज आ रहीं कई ट्रेनें डायवर्ट की गईं, सारी स्पेशल ट्रेनें भी अगले आदेश तक रद्द
— Oneindia Hindi (@oneindiaHindi) January 29, 2025
PM मोदी ने 2 घंटे के अंदर तीसरी बार CM योगी से की बात#MahaKumbh2025 #Mahakumbh #MahaKumbhMela2025 #Mahakumbh #mahakumbhstampede #NarendraModi #YogiAdityanath pic.twitter.com/Gre7STaH0l
The truth behind the claims, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claims made by the media outlets came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the claims. We found that the claims were false and baseless.
To verify the claims made by the media outlets. We performed a relevant keyword search and found the Ministry of Railways’s statement on ANI. According to ANI, the Ministry of Railways has stated that “The Railways has planned to run more than 360 trains from the various stations in the Prayagraj region today. As of now, there is no plan to cancel any special train.”
#MahaKumbh2025 | The Railways has planned to run more than 360 trains from the various stations in the Prayagraj region today. As of now, there is no plan to cancel any special train: Ministry of Railways
— ANI (@ANI) January 29, 2025
Additionally, we found Northern Railways’ statement about the special train schedule and ticket booking details.
For the convenience of passengers, the railways have planned several #Mahakumbh2025 Special trains. You may book your tickets in these Special trains.
— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) January 29, 2025
Date wise & Class wise availability position of Special trains from 30.01.2025 to 08.02.2025 is as under:… pic.twitter.com/989XIr9D4s
Therefore, it is evident from verified sources that the claims about special trains being cancelled due to stampedes were false and baseless.
2899
— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) January 29, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: Claims are circulating that the Indian Railways has decided to cancel all special trains heading to Prayagraj following the stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela. These claims are false. According to reports, the Ministry of Railways stated, (1/3) pic.twitter.com/QtbUnmCmTM
Intent
Media outlets and Influencers are circulating misleading claims about the Mahakumbh Mela to create panic among devotees.
Conclusion
Claim– Indian Railways cancelled all special trains heading to Prayagraj following the stampede at the Mahakumbh Mela.
Fact– The Railways has not cancelled any special trains. The claims are completely false and unfounded.
Related Article: Fact Check: An image of Jawaharlal Nehru immersing his mother’s ashes in a river falsely linked to Kumbh Mela – D-Intent Data