20 Special Trains to Run for Constable Recruitment Examinees!

East Central Railway (ECR) has announced a massive and highly relieving decision for the lakhs of candidates appearing in the upcoming Constable Recruitment Examination in Bihar. Keeping in view the heavy rush of examinees and the intense pressure on transport networks, the railway administration has decided to operate 20 pairs of special trains (Examination Special Trains).

These special trains will run across various routes in Bihar this Saturday and Sunday, freeing students from overcrowded buses and heavy traffic delays as they travel to far-flung exam centers. This mega plan primarily connects highly busy routes such as Patna to Bettiah, Madhubani to Siwan, and Darbhanga to Patliputra.

 Why Was This Decision Taken? The Huge Challenge of Crowd Management

The Constable Recruitment Examination is one of the largest exams in Bihar, drawing lakhs of youth from every corner of the state. It is a common sight during exam days for trains and buses to be packed to the brim, raising concerns over law and order as well as student safety.

According to senior officials of the railway administration:

"To ensure student convenience and to prevent any stampede-like situations at stations, East Central Railway has meticulously mapped out these routes. These trains will be completely unreserved (General) and categorized as special trains so that students can purchase tickets instantly and travel without hassle."

 Major Routes and Complete Schedule of Special Trains

The railways have actively tried to connect all the major centers in Bihar where the concentration of examinees is expected to be the highest. Let’s look at the primary routes:

 Patna ⇄ Bettiah Special

Route: This train will depart from Patna Junction and travel via Hajipur, Muzaffarpur, and the Muzaffarpur-Narkatiaganj rail section to reach Bettiah.

Benefit: It provides direct connectivity for students from Patna and North Bihar heading to the Champaran region.

 Madhubani ⇄ Siwan Special

Route: Starting from Madhubani, this train will travel via Darbhanga, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, and Chhapra to reach Siwan.

Benefit: Students from the Mithilanchal region can smoothly reach their designated exam centers in the Saran division.

Darbhanga ⇄ Patliputra Special

Route: Departing from Darbhanga, it will travel via Sitamarhi or Muzaffarpur to directly reach Patliputra Junction (Patna).

Benefit: This train will act as a lifeline for students assigned to centers in and around the capital city of Patna.

 At a Glance: Timings and Categories of Special Trains

S.No.Route (Train Name)Days of OperationCoach Type
01Patna - Bettiah Exam SpecialSaturday & SundayGeneral / Unreserved
02Madhubani - Siwan Exam SpecialSaturday & SundayGeneral / Unreserved
03Darbhanga - Patliputra Exam SpecialSaturday & SundayGeneral / Unreserved
04Other Intercity & Passenger RoutesSaturday & SundayMEMU / DEMU

 'Special' Arrangements by Railways for the Examinees

Operating trains is just one part of the plan; to tackle potential mismanagement at busy platforms, East Central Railway has deployed special arrangements at major hub stations like Muzaffarpur, Patna, Darbhanga, and Siwan:

 Additional Security Personnel (RPF and GRP): Security will be highly tightened inside the trains and across station premises. Extra male and female security personnel have been deployed to curb unruly behavior and guide students safely onto trains. Extra Ticket Counters: To counter long queues on exam day, 'Additional Booking Counters' will be opened at stations. Furthermore, students are strongly advised to use the UTS on Mobile app for quick digital ticketing.

 Continuous Announcements & Helpdesks: To provide exact information regarding train arrivals, departures, and platform numbers, public address systems will run 24/7. Dedicated 'Examinee Helpdesks' will also be functional.

 Railway Administration's Appeal to Students: "Travel Safely"

The Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of East Central Railway has appealed to the candidates to maintain decorum and peace. He stated:

"The railways are fully committed to your convenience, and an adequate number of trains are being operated. Students must absolutely avoid traveling on train roofs, footboards, or couplings, as this can be fatal. Please avoid ticketless travel and always journey with a valid ticket."

 Smiling Faces: Students Shower Praise on Social Media

Following this swift and empathetic decision by the railways, candidates and their parents have breathed a collective sigh of relief. Students are flooding social media platforms to express their gratitude to East Central Railway and the Ministry of Railways. Many noted that these special trains will not only save them crucial time but will also allow them to reach their centers calmly, free from mental stress.

 This initiative by the railways is a highly commendable step toward ensuring the successful conduct of the examination and providing a secure journey for the youth. If you are heading out for the exam this Saturday or Sunday, make sure to check the exact timetables of these 20 special trains at your nearest station or via the official railway website/app