A high-level meeting focused on the future of railway infrastructure and passenger amenities was held by the North Central Railway (NCR) in Prayagraj on Friday, July 10, 2026. Chaired by Aligarh MP Satish Kumar Gautam at Hotel Kanha Shyam, the session brought together regional lawmakers to address critical connectivity and service needs. While the MPs for Phulpur and Allahabad, Praveen Patel and Ujjwal Raman Singh, were absent due to personal reasons, their representatives were present to voice local demands alongside other regional delegates.
Key highlights from the meeting include:
• Submission of over 200 proposals for improved passenger facilities.
• Demand for daily operation of the Prayagraj-Mumbai Duronto Express.
• Proposal for a new morning superfast service connecting Prayagraj to Lucknow.
• Advocacy for renaming Subedarganj station to ‘Cantt’.
Focus on Future Connectivity and Infrastructure
During the session, NCR General Manager Naresh Pal Singh emphasized that all submitted suggestions are being reviewed for feasibility and will be integrated into upcoming railway expansion projects. The meeting underscored the division’s robust performance, noting that in the fiscal year 2025-26, the Prayagraj division served approximately 7.40 crore passengers, generating ₹1,699 crore in passenger revenue and ₹893 crore in freight revenue.
Significant infrastructure milestones were also highlighted, including the ongoing redevelopment of Prayagraj Junction and Kanpur Central. Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, five out of 15 identified stations have already been completed, with the remainder scheduled for completion this financial year. The division has also expanded its network with 28 kilometers of new rail lines and the commissioning of automatic signaling across 25.18 kilometers. To bolster passenger safety, the ‘Kavach’ anti-collision system has now been implemented on a 400-kilometer section.
Expanding Services for Passengers
In addition to infrastructure, the NCR has focused on service frequency and network reach. Recent operational highlights include the launch of the Prayagraj-Dadri special train, the introduction of 18 pairs of new trains, and the management of 24 pairs of special trains totaling 14,127 special trips. Addressing recent rumors, officials reaffirmed that Prayagraj Railway Station remains fully operational, following a recent inspection by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.