The Central Railway’s Solapur Division has stepped up its efforts to manage the massive crowds heading to Pandharpur for the 10-day Ashadhi Fair, which began on July 1 and runs through July 10. With Ashadhi Ekadashi—the main event—falling on July 6, railway officials expect over 15 to 16 lakh devotees to visit the temple town, including around 2 lakh travelling by train.

To handle the surge, 119 special train trips are being operated in addition to regular services. Railway officers, including senior officials from commercial, electrical, and security departments, are stationed at Pandharpur to oversee operations directly.

A central Fair Control Office has been set up at the station, supported by 62 CCTV cameras for real-time monitoring. Temporary ticket counters, mobile UTS devices, and ATVMs have been added to manage bookings, while 'May I Help You' desks are assisting passengers on the ground. Ticket checking staff and security personnel are spread across platforms to help with boarding and maintain order.