Haridwar railway station to undergo transformation before Kumbh 2027, platforms to increase from 9 to 10

In preparation for the increasing crowd of passengers at Haridwar railway station before the Ardh Kumbh in 2027, the railway has accelerated its preparations. Along with increasing the existing capacity of the station, several works related to passenger facilities and crowd management are being undertaken. The most prominent among these is the construction of Platform Number 10.

Currently, there are 9 platforms at Haridwar Junction, with Platforms 7, 8, and 9 designated as fair platforms. With the construction of Platform Number 10, the total number of platforms at the station will become 10. According to a report from September 2026, construction work is ongoing, and the railway administration is working to complete it before the Kumbh.

Not just the platform, the entire station will be upgraded

The number of passengers arriving in Haridwar during the Kumbh increases significantly compared to normal days. Keeping this in mind, the railway and fair administration are making improvements in different parts of the station. According to a plan revealed during the inspection by the Divisional Railway Manager in January 2026, approximately 460 crore rupees are planned to be spent on the redevelopment of Haridwar railway station. This includes the development of the station building along with the railway yard.

The aim of the plan is not only to prepare temporary arrangements during the Kumbh but also to develop the station according to future passenger needs.

A holding area with a capacity of 10,000 passengers

During the Kumbh, the biggest challenge will be to manage the crowd of passengers arriving at the station simultaneously. To address this, there are plans to develop a holding area with a capacity of approximately 10,000 passengers in the circulating area of Haridwar station. This area will also provide basic facilities such as drinking water and toilets for passengers. Additional ticket counters and help desks will also be increased as needed.

The purpose of this arrangement is to ensure that the crowd of passengers disembarking from or boarding trains does not accumulate directly in the main part of the station, allowing for a phased control of passenger movement.

Emphasis on entry and exit arrangements

During the Kumbh, it will not be sufficient to just increase the number of trains at the station. Arrangements for efficiently getting passengers out of the station and directing them in different directions will also be crucial. The plans of the railway and fair administration emphasize organizing entry-exit routes, developing the circulating area, and controlling passenger flow. During the inspection of the station in February, the fair administration had directed improvements in lighting, drinking water, toilets, waiting areas, ticket counters, help desks, and the announcement system.

Foot over bridge, lifts, and facilities for differently-abled passengers

The proposed modernization of the station includes foot over bridges, lifts, and facilities for differently-abled passengers to facilitate passenger movement. Additionally, plans have been outlined for developing modern waiting areas, better lighting, digital signage, food services, and parking facilities.

This will not only impact the devotees arriving during the Kumbh but also the passengers coming to Haridwar throughout the year.

Preparations for 24-coach long trains

The preparations for Kumbh 2027 are not limited to the station premises. The railways are also working towards preparing platforms and other infrastructure at major stations in such a way that the operation of long trains becomes easier. According to a report from June 2026, necessary changes are being planned in the platforms for trains with 22 to 24 coaches from Moradabad to Haridwar and Dehradun. It has also been mentioned that waiting areas, circulating areas, foot-over bridges, and sanitation facilities at Haridwar and Dehradun stations will be upgraded.

Jwalapur and Motichur Stations Will Also Be Important

Instead of putting all passenger pressure solely on Haridwar Junction during Kumbh, a strategy is also being devised to increase the use of nearby stations. The railway's plan includes Jwalapur and Motichur railway stations playing a significant role. In January, railway officials informed that special arrangements and train halts were being planned at both these stations.

According to a report from April 2026, in addition to Haridwar, work is being done on a plan to enhance passenger facilities at a total of 10 railway stations including the yoga city of Rishikesh, Motichur, Harrawala, Jwalapur, Raiwala, Veerbhadra, Ekkaad, and Pathri.

Repairs of Roads, Tin Sheds, and Toilets

Currently, work is also visible on the ground as part of the Kumbh preparations. According to a report from September 2026, along with the construction of Platform-10, repairs of tin sheds, restoration of toilets, and repairs of the dilapidated roads in and around the station premises are also underway. According to railway officials, the aim of these works is to manage passengers at the station with minimal inconvenience during Kumbh and to strengthen the operational capacity of the station.