Major Gift from Railways for the World-Famous Shravani Mela; Temporary Stoppages Provided for Several Major Express and Passenger Trains at Sultanganj Railway Station, Bringing Massive Relief to Kanwarias and Devotees
Bhagalpur, Office Correspondent: Keeping in mind the massive crowds and the convenience of Shiva devotees (kanwarias) during the Shravani Mela at the historic and religiously significant Sultanganj Railway Station under Silk City Bhagalpur, the Eastern Railway and Malda Division administration have taken an exceptionally vital decision. To ensure smooth and safe travel for the millions of devotees arriving in Sultanganj from various corners of the country during the mela period, several important express and passenger trains have been granted a temporary two-minute stoppage at Sultanganj Station. This railway initiative will not along ease travel for passengers, but will also provide immense assistance in controlling the surging crowd along the Bhagalpur-Kiul rail section.
Significance of the Mela and Special Railway Preparations
Every year during the Shravani Mela, crores of kanwarias journeying to Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham) and Dumka (Basukinath) in Jharkhand commence their foot pilgrimage after collecting water from the northward-flowing Ganges bank in Sultanganj. During this period, thousands of devotees arrive daily at Sultanganj Station via trains from every corner of the country.
Initiative to Reduce Passenger Congestion: Drawing from the experiences of previous years, the railway administration formulated a comprehensive traffic and train management plan prior to the commencement of the mela. Fulfilling the demand for stops by several long-distance express trains under this plan will spare passengers from the hassle of changing trains or disembarking at Bhagalpur Junction for onward journeys.
Which Major Trains Received Stoppages at Sultanganj?
According to the official notification issued by the railways, the prominent trains whose stoppages have been secured at Sultanganj Station for the Shravani Mela include the following:
Express and Superfast Trains: Several crucial mail and express trains operated from various zones will now halt at Sultanganj Station. These include the Bhagalpur-Danapur Intercity Express, the Gaya-Howrah Express, and selected express trains transiting the Malda Town-Kiul sector.
MEMU and Special Trains: To address the sudden, heavy surges in the number of kanwarias, the railways have also operationalized several special Shravani Mela special MEMU and DEMU trains, which will run between Bhagalpur, Jamalpur, Kiul, Sahibganj, and Jhajha with mandatory stoppages at Sultanganj Station.
Modern Amenities and Security Arrangements for Passengers at Sultanganj Station
Alongside train stoppages, special arrangements concerning passenger safety and basic amenities have been established at Sultanganj Railway Station:
Vast Temporary Passenger Sheds: To shelter the massive crowds of visiting devotees from sun and rain, large waterproof pandals and sheds have been erected outside the station premises and on platforms.
Drinking Water and Medical Camps: In collaboration with the health department, the railways have established a 24-hour emergency medical camp within the station premises, staffed by medical teams and equipped with life-saving medicines. Additionally, extra water tankers and water kiosks have been installed to provide pure drinking water.
Passenger Assistance Centers and Announcement System: To aid devotees, announcements regarding train arrivals and departures are continuously broadcasted in Hindi, English, and local languages, alongside 'help desks' issuing alerts for lost-and-found children or general information.
Rigorous Security Measures and Deployment of RPF
Additional personnel from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have been deployed to guarantee the safety of the millions of arriving devotees:
CCTV Surveillance: High-definition CCTV cameras linked directly to the control room have been installed to monitor every activity across platforms, foot overbridges, and ticket counters.
Crowd Management: Barricades have been set up to prevent stampedes or disorderly situations, ensuring passengers board trains in orderly queues.
This temporary stoppage of several major trains at Sultanganj Railway Station and the comprehensive administrative preparations serve as proof that the railway administration is fully committed to the smooth and safe journey of Shiva devotees. These robust arrangements and the operation of additional trains have provided unprecedented relief to kanwarias visiting this year's Shravani Mela, rendering their sacred pilgrimage even more auspicious.
