Huge Crowds of Passengers Surge in Shravani Mela; Buses to Increase on Purnia-Bhagalpur Route
Bhagalpur, Office Correspondent: In view of the heavy rush of Shiva devotees and general passengers heading to Deoghar in Silk City Bhagalpur and surrounding areas, efforts to streamline the transport system have intensified. With the commencement of the world-famous Shravani Mela, a sudden and massive surge has been recorded in the movement of pilgrims and passengers across Bhagalpur and its neighboring districts. To smoothly manage this extra crowd of passengers and the pressure on traffic, the administration and transport department have taken a major decision to increase the number of buses on the Purnia-Bhagalpur route, ensuring that traveling citizens and Kanwrias do not face any inconvenience.
Why Was the Need Felt to Increase Buses on the Purnia-Bhagalpur Route?
During the holy month of Shravan, the traffic pressure multiplies across the entire Anga region due to devotees filling water from the northward-flowing Ganges in Sultanganj and heading toward Deoghar and Basukinath.
Extra Passenger Rush: A large number of devotees and common people from Bhagalpur, Purnia, Katihar, and other districts of Seemanchal commute via Bhagalpur. Compared to normal days, the passenger 'footfall' on this route increases exponentially during the mela.
Rising Traffic Pressure: The increase in the movement of private and public vehicles on roadways during the Shravani Mela places an over-capacity burden on older routes, making the operation of additional buses mandatory to ensure smooth travel for passengers.
Technical Issues Concerning Vikramshila Setu and the Route
For a long time, certain practical difficulties persisted regarding operations on the Purnia-Bhagalpur route, to address which the administration has now taken firm steps:
Situation Near Parbatta and Janhvi Chowk: Currently, due to restrictions on the regular movement of heavy passenger buses over the Vikramshila Setu and other technical reasons, bus operators (both government and private) used to park their buses near a private petrol pump or Janhvi Chowk in Parbatta.
Jams Caused by Roadside Parking: The parking of buses in these temporary and unorganized locations caused severe traffic jams on the roads. Passengers faced immense trouble catching vehicles, and with buses parked on both sides of the road, the threat of road accidents loomed constantly. Furthermore, there was an acute lack of basic facilities for passengers at those spots.
Buses to Operate from the Proposed Bus Stand in Naugachia
With the objective of passenger safety, convenience, and freeing the city from traffic jams, the district administration has implemented an important arrangement:
New Order Effective: Following a high-level meeting of administrative and transport officials (MVI), it has been decided that all government and private buses on the Purnia-Bhagalpur route will now operate exclusively from the proposed/government bus stand located in Naugachia.
Instructions for Strict Compliance: The transport department has made it clear that a crackdown will be launched against those parking buses ungracedly on the roads, and this arrangement will be strictly enforced to provide passengers with the benefit of a smooth journey.
Other Administrative Preparations for Shravani Mela
For the convenience of passengers and Shiva devotees during the mela, the administration has made special arrangements on several other fronts as well:
Special Route Map and Traffic Plan: To tackle traffic jams on National Highways (NH) and main routes, NHAI and the local police administration have jointly prepared a special route map. Alternative routes have been designated for heavy vehicles and passenger buses.
Expansion of Passenger Amenities: Comprehensive arrangements for tent cities, drinking water, lighting, and security have been put in place in the Bhagalpur, Banka, and Munger regions so that Kanwrias arriving from afar do not face any difficulties.
The decision to increase the number of buses on the Purnia-Bhagalpur route and operate them from the organized bus stand in Naugachia during the auspicious occasion of Shravani Mela is a major relief for passengers. This administrative step will not only free the mela zone from traffic jams but also make the journey for pilgrims and general passengers safe and comfortable.
