Women traveling to Prayagraj for Kumbh claim PM Modi allowed ticket-free travel

A group of women traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh Mela surprised a senior railway official when they said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had allowed them to travel without tickets.

This unusual incident happened at Buxar railway station, near Bihar’s border with Uttar Pradesh. A viral video showed Danapur Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Jayant Kumar talking to the women, who were waiting near the tracks. When he asked if they had tickets, they said no. When asked who gave them permission to travel for free, they confidently replied, “Narendra Modi told us so.”

DRM’s response and crowd issues

The DRM was shocked by their response. He calmly informed them that no such rule existed and urged them to buy tickets. He also warned that they could be fined if they traveled without one.

Speaking to reporters later, the DRM said special arrangements had been made to handle the large number of pilgrims going to the Maha Kumbh Mela. However, the crowd was larger than expected, partly because of a stampede at New Delhi railway station on Saturday night, which left 18 people dead.

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The Grand Maha Kumbh Mela

The Maha Kumbh Mela is a huge religious event that began on January 13 and will end on February 26, coinciding with Maha Shivratri. It is held at the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers meet.

According to officials, more than 50 crore people have visited Prayagraj so far for a holy dip in the sacred waters.