Click it and Unblock the Notifications
To handle the expected increase in passenger traffic during the Shrawani Mela, the Indian Railways has announced a special train service between Howrah and Natesar. The special trains are being introduced to help thousands of pilgrims travelling to the famous Baidyanath Temple in Deoghar, Jharkhand, during the annual festival.
Shrawani Mela Special Trains
According to East Central Railway (ECR) Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, one pair of special trains will run from July 5 to September 30. The service has been planned to make the journey more convenient and comfortable for devotees visiting the temple during the busy pilgrimage season.
The Howrah-Natesar Special train will leave Howrah at around 11.50 pm every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday starting from July 5. It will reach Natesar at around 12 noon the following day.
For the return journey, the Natesar-Howrah Special will depart from Natesar at 1 pm every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday beginning July 6. It is scheduled to reach Howrah at around 4.30 am the next day.
Important Stoppages
During its journey, the special train will stop at several important stations, including Asansol, Jasidih, Jhajha, Kiul, Sheikhpura, Biharsharif, and Rajgir. These stops will provide better connectivity for pilgrims travelling from different parts of the region to reach Deoghar and the Baidyanath Temple.
Train Features
The special train will consist of 18 coaches to accommodate more passengers. The coach composition includes one AC three-tier (3AC) coach, seven sleeper class coaches, eight general coaches, and two brake vans. With this arrangement, the Railways aims to meet the increased travel demand during the festival and ensure smooth transportation for pilgrims throughout the Shrawani Mela season.
How are these Special Trains Beneficial?
Railway officials said the special train has been introduced mainly to manage the large number of passengers expected during the Shrawani Mela. Every year, lakhs of devotees visit the temple during this religious festival, leading to heavy crowding on regular train services. The additional train is expected to reduce congestion and offer a safer and more comfortable journey for travellers.