The missing rail link to Medaram Jatara

By Sreeramulu Gosikonda

The Medaram Jatara—widely known as Telangana’s Kumbh Mela—attracts devotees not just from Telangana but also from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh. While around one crore devotees visited the jatara in 2022, and nearly 1.5 crore in 2024, the Telangana government estimates that close to two crore devotees will converge at Medaram this year—from Jan 28 to 31.

Recognising its cultural and economic significance, the Telangana govt has sanctioned Rs 300 crore for permanent infrastructure and development works. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) plans to operate around 4,000 special buses. Yet, given the sheer scale of movement and the wide geographical spread of pilgrims, road transport alone is grossly inadequate during peak days, as there will be massive inter-district and rural–urban movement for at least a week, from Jan 27 to Feb 2, 2026, as people travel from Hyderabad and other cities either to Medaram or back to their native places.

In fact, the absence of adequate railway services is glaring, especially as the rush towards Medaram has already begun during the Christmas and Sankranti holidays. The South Central Railway (SCR) operated only ten specialtrains during the 2024 Medaram Jatara and just four in 2022— numbers that are negligible when compared to the scale of the event. This is particularly disappointing given that the headquarters of the SCR is located in Telangana. Such limited facilitation reflects a systemic neglect of the transport needs of pilgrims from the region.

The contrast becomes stark when compared with railway arrangements for other major religious congregations. During the recent Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Indian Railways operated around 7,000 special trains, along with additional halts, diversions, and thousands of scheduled services. For the Magh Mela this year, around 3,000 special trains were planned to facilitate an estimated 15 crore devotees. When such extensive arrangements are possible elsewhere, the persistent under-allocation of special trainsfor the Sammakka–Saralamma Jatara raises serious questions.

Historically, the SCR has displayed a stepmotherly attitude towards several Telangana routes. Even during major Telangana festivals such as Bathukamma and Dasara, special train services have remained minimal. This neglect is especially painful in Hyderabad, where lakhs of people from across Telangana reside for work and education, yet struggle to reach their hometowns during festivals.

For the upcoming jatara, the SCR has both an opportunity and a responsibility to correct this imbalance. With access to officialdata on expected footfall, authorities can plan scientifically and sensitively. Running special trains to Warangal from Secunderabad, Nizamabad, Vikarabad, Karimnagar, Dornakal, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, and Balharshah for at least a full week would significantly reduce pressure on roads and offer a safer, affordable, and environmentally sustainable option for devotees.

The Sammakka–SaralammaJatara is not merely a festival; it is a living testament to indigenous resistance, ecological spirituality, and collective faith. Facilitating the movement of its devotees with dignity and equity is not a favour, rather it is a responsibility. Railway justice for Telangana’s Kumbh Mela is long overdue.

(The writer is assistant professor at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi)