A Major Gift by Railways for Shravani Mela; Several Key Trains Given a Two-Minute Temporary Stoppage from July 30 to August 28 for Passenger Convenience, Journey to Be Smoother
Bhagalpur, Special Correspondent: The Indian Railways has announced a major relief initiative for the millions of Shiva devotees, Kanwrias, and general passengers arriving at Baba Baidyanath Dham and Sultanganj from all corners of the country during the world-famous Shravani Mela. To ensure heavy passenger rushes, convenience, and smooth transit during the Shravani Mela, the railway administration has decided to provide a two-minute temporary stoppage to several important express and mail trains at designated en-route stations from July 30 to August 28. This special arrangement will offer immense convenience to passengers boarding and alighting from trains passing through Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and surrounding areas.
Massive Crowds During Shravani Mela, Railways Take Action
During the holy month of Sawan, Bhagalpur and Sultanganj railway stations witness the largest passenger pressure in the country:
Influx of Lakhs of Devotees: The number of Kanwrias commencing their foot journey to Deoghar after collecting water from the northward-flowing Ganges reaches crores annually during Sawan. Trains run fully packed, and massive crowds assemble at stations.
Passenger Demand and Convenience: Taking into account the demands of devotees and local representatives as well as the surging passenger numbers, the Eastern Railway and East Central Railway have mutually coordinated to ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience during transit in the mela. These temporary stoppages have been approved precisely toward this objective.
Which Key Trains Have Been Given a Two-Minute Stoppage?
According to the official notification issued by the railways, the stoppages of several key express trains have been extended during this period, directly benefiting long-distance passengers as well:
Danapur-Bhagalpur Express: Additional stoppages have been provided to this popular route train at major stations, making travel effortless for Kanwrias arriving from the capital Patna and the Danapur region.
Dhanbad-Patna Express: This train is considered vital for passengers traveling from Jharkhand's coal belt and southern Bihar toward Bhagalpur, and it has secured a stoppage during the mela period.
Tatanagar-Buxar Express: The stoppage of this train running from Jharkhand's industrial city Tatanagar through various districts of Bihar will provide direct connectivity to Shiva devotees arriving from tribal-dominated regions and other states.
Other Important Mail and Express Trains: Furthermore, other paired trains included in the list will be halted for 2 minutes at designated stations falling within the mela zone, enabling passengers to safely board or alight without any rush.
Schedule and Rules for Temporary Stoppages
Effective Date: This special arrangement will remain fully effective starting from July 30 through August 28, meaning throughout the conclusion of the Shravani Mela.
Duration of Stoppage: The stoppage of all these identified trains at the respective stations will be for two minutes. Loco pilots and guards have been issued special instructions regarding this to ensure trains operate safely on schedule.
Tickets and Reservations: Booking will continue under the normal rules of these trains, and passengers can book tickets on these trains according to their convenience to avail of this facility.
Tight Arrangements for Security and Passenger Amenities at Stations
Alongside the train stoppages, the railway administration has also put robust preparations in place at stations:
Crowd Management: Additional personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed to control heavy passenger crowds on platforms.
Announcements and Help Desks: Continuous announcements are being broadcast at stations to assist passengers, and special help desks have been set up so that no traveler faces difficulty obtaining information about train arrivals/departures or platforms.
The two-minute temporary stoppage granted by the railways to several trains from July 30 to August 28 in view of the Shravani Mela has made travel significantly smoother and more comfortable for Shiva devotees. This move involving crucial trains like the Danapur-Bhagalpur, Dhanbad-Patna, and Tatanagar-Buxar Expresses has not only eased passenger travel but also lent renewed strength to traffic management during the mela. This timely and pro-people step by the railways is playing a pivotal role in making this year's Shravani Mela historically successful.
