The globally renowned court of Baba Mahakal attracts thousands of devotees daily, but this number swells into lakhs during the holy Shravan-Bhadrapada months. During this sacred period, the deity emerges to tour the city and observe the well-being of the citizens. This year, Ujjain is bracing for an extraordinary influx of worshippers. The advance train ticket bookings for August and September have already shattered all historical milestones. To handle this unprecedented surge, the railway administration is preparing to implement a unique one-way traffic system at the Ujjain railway station for the first time in its history, ensuring that passenger movement remains orderly and secure.
First Ever Trial of a One-Way Passenger Flow
RPF Thana In-charge Narendra Yadav stated that a dedicated structural plan has been formulated by the railways to systematically manage the heavy passenger footfall during the Shravan-Bhadrapada period. Under this new protocol, passengers will be allowed to enter the station premises strictly through Platform Number 1. Conversely, those exiting the station will be routed exclusively towards the Platform Number 8 side. To prevent any bottlenecks or chaotic cross-movements within the terminal, the entry point near the goods shed will be shut down completely, facilitating a highly streamlined flow of transit.
A Critical Dress Rehearsal for Simhastha Mahaparv
Railway officials view these newly introduced crowd management protocols as a crucial trial run for the upcoming Simhastha Mahaparv. While Ujjain station usually handles a substantial daily footfall of around 72,000 passengers on normal days, booking data reveals that daily ticketing for the Shravan-Bhadrapada months has already crossed 95,000. This massive volume indicates a potential record-breaking assembly of devotees in the holy city this year.
Rising Footfall Post Mahakal Lok and Special Trains
Ever since the construction of the Mahakal Lok corridor, Ujjain has witnessed an exponential rise in tourist and pilgrim traffic throughout the year. According to railway data, the peak seasonal crowd of 70,000 daily passengers recorded during last year's Shravan-Bhadrapada has now become the standard baseline for ordinary days. With daily numbers expected to exceed 95,000 this season, authorities are adding six extra trains (operating as three pairs of special trains) on the busy Bhopal route.
To further relieve pressure on the primary platforms, a state-of-the-art, waterproof holding area with a capacity to accommodate 1,200 passengers is being constructed just outside the station complex. This facility will be equipped with key amenities, including clean drinking water and ample seating arrangements. This zone will serve as a buffer, allowing security personnel to release passengers into the station in a phased and controlled manner.
Drone Surveillance and Tightened Security
In anticipation of the heavy rush, security measures across Ujjain station have been significantly fortified. An additional contingent of 50 security personnel has been requested to bolster on-ground monitoring. Simultaneously, the existing network of CCTV cameras is being expanded to cover blind spots. For the first time, drones will be deployed to maintain continuous aerial surveillance over the station and its adjoining areas. Authorities believe that these advanced technological interventions will lay down a solid framework for effective crowd management during the grand Simhastha-2028 event.
