LUCKNOW, Jan. 2 -- The Prayagraj Sangam railway station will remain temporarily closed during major bathing days of Magh Mela 2026 to manage crowd movement and ensure passenger safety, said the Northern Railway (NR) officials on Thursday. According to a press release issued by the Lucknow Division of Northern Railway, passenger movement at Prayagraj Sangam station will be completely restricted from one day before each major bathing festival till one day after the event. During this period, no trains will halt at the station and entry or exit of passengers will not be permitted. Senior divisional commercial manager Kuldeep Tiwari said the step is aimed at ensuring smooth operations and crowd control during the religious fair. "The decision has been taken in view of the heavy rush expected during key bathing days of the annual Magh Mela, when lakhs of devotees arrive in Prayagraj to take a holy dip at the Sangam," he added. Railway authorities have advised passengers to plan their journeys in advance and use alternative nearby stations during the restricted period. The entire Magh Mela area was declared a no-vehicle zone from 8 pm on Thursday as the administration put in place extensive traffic and crowd management measures ahead of the Magh Mela, which begins on Saturday with the Paush Purnima bathing. A large number of devotees are expected to arrive on the opening day, prompting police to enforce strict movement regulations across the Mela zone. According to officials, entry into the Mela area will be permitted only to ambulances and emergency service vehicles. Dedicated routes have been marked for pedestrian movement within the Mela zone and towards the Sangam Nose, while a one-way system has been implemented on all pontoon bridges. Devotees travelling from Parade to Jhunsi will use pontoon bridges 3, 5 and 7, while those moving from Jhunsi to Parade will cross through pontoon bridges 4 and 6. Movement in the opposite direction will not be allowed. Pontoon bridges 1 and 2 have been kept in reserve. No vehicle parking will be permitted at the Sangam Nose, and pilgrims have been urged to follow the designated routes and use only authorised parking facilities. Parking arrangements have been made at the Parade Ground, Jhunsi and Arail. From various parking points, devotees will be required to walk to the bathing ghats through marked corridors and return via separate routes to avoid congestion....