Kumbh track: Goa-Prayagraj trains to leave Margao on Feb 6, 13 & 21

Panaji: The first pilgrimage train for Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, under the Mukhyamantri Dev Darshan Yatra Yojana, will leave from Goa on Feb 6 at 8am with 1,000 passengers on board. The other two trains will leave from Goa on Feb 13 and 21, respectively with a similar number of pilgrims.

Social welfare minister Subhash Phal Dessai said that applications would be invited from those desirous of visiting the Maha Kumbh, and also information would be collected over phone. Desai said that people who are physically fit can book their seat by calling number 2232257 on a first-come, first-serve basis.

He said the train will stop at the station 4.5km before Prayagraj, and pilgrims will have to bear the cost for further travel to the Maha Kumbh site. “Pilgrims in the age group of 18 to 60 years without any health issues are eligible. Twenty-four hours will be given to pilgrims to take a holy dip before returning to the railway station for Goa return journey,” the social welfare minister said.

He added that the pilgrims will have to submit a declaration taking responsibility for their journey and care of their one-day stay expenses. “Govt will take responsibility of only the train journey,” he said.