Maha Kumbh 2025: Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath Govt To Run Electric Buses For Devotees

In preparation for the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela, Uttar Pradesh is gearing up to introduce electric buses to facilitate transportation for millions of devotees visiting Prayagraj. This initiative aims to enhance convenience, cut pollution, and efficiently manage the massive crowd expected during the event starting January 13.

Ajit Kumar Singh, GM Technical of Uttar Pradesh Transport Corporation, stated that these buses will operate on various routes within Prayagraj. The routes have been planned in collaboration with fair administration and local police. Charging stations are strategically placed at Nehru Park, Bela Kachhar, and Andawa to support the electric fleet.

Electric Buses for Key Festivals

The first phase will see 10 to 15 electric buses running in Prayagraj before the Mela begins. An additional 30 buses will be sent from Lucknow for the Mauni Amavasya festival on January 29, which draws the largest number of pilgrims. These 12-meter-long buses from Switch Mobility can travel over 200 kilometers per charge.

M.K. Trivedi, Regional Manager for Prayagraj, confirmed a detailed route plan is ready. On peak days, six routes will be covered by these buses, while on regular days, they will serve 11 routes. This ensures seamless connectivity between key locations in the city.

Future Expansion Plans

The Transport Department plans to introduce an additional 120 electric buses later, including 20 double-decker models. While Switch Mobility will supply the double-deckers, other models will come from Pinnacle Mobility Pvt. Ltd. These additions aim to further alleviate transportation challenges during the Mahakumbh.

However, operating double-decker buses during this event might pose challenges due to high visitor numbers. Authorities are also implementing advanced firefighting technology and deploying extra personnel to ensure safety and effective crowd management as crores of devotees are expected between January 13 and February 26.