Proposal Sent to Railways for Operation of Special Trains from Malda Division
Bhagalpur/Malda: In view of the heavy influx of passengers during the Shravani Mela and upcoming festivals, efforts to address the shortage of trains have intensified. Considering the growing demand from travelers and devotees embarking on religious journeys, a detailed proposal for the operation of special trains has been sent to the Malda Railway Division administration. This step is expected to bring major relief to millions of passengers in the region.
Why Are Special Trains Needed?
Every year during the month of Sawan and various religious festivals, there is an unprecedented pressure of passengers at stations under the Malda Division, particularly at hubs like Bhagalpur, Sultanganj, and Malda Town. Lakhs of 'Kanwariyas' (devotees) travel to Deoghar after collecting Ganga water from Sultanganj. Currently, finding a seat on regular trains becomes nearly impossible, causing significant distress to passengers. Operating special trains has now become a necessity to manage the crowd and ensure a smooth journey.
Key Highlights of the Proposal
The proposal sent to senior railway officials emphasizes several key points:
Major Routes: The proposal recommends the operation of special trains on crucial routes such as Bhagalpur-Jamalpur-Kiul and Malda-Bhagalpur-New Delhi/Howrah.
Timeframe: The operation of these special trains is proposed primarily for the duration of the Shravani Mela and other peak festival seasons.
Additional Trips: To reduce congestion on existing trains, it has also been suggested to increase the number of extra trips for selected trains.
Passenger Convenience: There is a demand to keep a higher number of general and sleeper-class coaches in these special trains to ensure that common devotees can benefit.
What Do Passengers and Representatives Say?
Local rail passenger associations have welcomed this move. They stated that for the past few years, due to the unavailability of space on trains, passengers were forced to rely on private buses or other expensive modes of transport. The operation of special trains will not only save time for passengers but will also increase railway revenue. Public representatives have also written to the Railway Minister, urging a decision as soon as possible.
Railway's Preparation
A senior official of the Malda Division mentioned that the divisional office had been receiving continuous requests from the general public and various organizations. Taking the proposal seriously, the divisional administration has prepared its action plan and forwarded it to the Zonal Headquarters. Once the green signal is received from the zone, the operation of the trains will be announced. The railways are striving to ensure that no devotee is deprived of their journey during the 'peak season'.
Conclusion
Currently, the Malda Division administration is awaiting instructions from the headquarters. If this proposal is approved, passengers will be freed from long waiting lists in the coming days. This initiative by the railways will not only assist in crowd management but will also ensure a comfortable experience for devotees traveling on religious pilgrimages.
