The Central Railway’s Solapur Division has stepped up its efforts to manage the massive crowds heading to Pandharpur for the ten-day Ashadhi Fair, which began on July 1 and runs through July 10. With Ashadhi Ekadashi—the main event—falling on July 6, railway officials expect over 15 to 16 lakh devotees to visit the temple town, including around 2 lakh travelling by train.
To handle the surge, 119 special train trips are being run in addition to regular services. Railway officers, including senior officials from commercial, electrical, and security departments, are stationed at Pandharpur to oversee operations directly.
A central Fair Control Office has been set up at the station, supported by 62 CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring. Temporary ticket counters, mobile UTS devices, and ATVMs have been added to manage bookings, while `May I Help You` desks are assisting passengers on the ground. Ticket checking staff and security personnel are spread across platforms to help with boarding and maintain order.
To ensure better communication, announcements are being made in Marathi, Hindi, and Kannada. Digital information boards and signage have also been put up to guide passengers through the station.
Given the monsoon season, holding zones and waiting areas have been created to prevent overcrowding during peak hours and heavy rains. An emergency medical room with round-the-clock staff and an ambulance is also operational, along with extra sanitation arrangements like temporary toilets.
Civil Defence volunteers are on hand to support both passengers and railway staff. While managing this scale of movement is no small task, the focus remains on keeping things safe, smooth, and manageable for the lakhs of pilgrims making the journey.