VISAKHAPATNAM: GMP, the 12-day fete which is celebrated once in 144 years, saw unprecedented rush of pilgrims from July 14 to 25 and resulted in the Railways earning a whopping `5.4 crore during the event. Waltair Railway Division had to mobilise staff from all departments to manage crowd intending to board trains for the event.
Foreseeing the rush, Waltair division arranged special trains, operation of additional booking counters, getting counters to operate round-the-clock, providing help desks at important stations, enhancing illumination, supervising catering, and enhancing security by deputing RPF, GRP, Scouts and Guides and Civil Defence staff, supervisers and officers for crowd management and round-the-clock monitoring.
Waltair division operated 168 special trains, besides 33 regular trains per day between Vizag-Rajahmundry-Vizag during the Maha Pushkaram period to clear the rush.
The efforts enabled Waltair division to commute over 6.1 lakh passengers.