Special Trains for Chhath Puja Announced

Deoghar, November 11: Special trains have been announced by the railway administration to facilitate passengers during Chhath Puja and manage the expected surge in travelers. A pair of special trains will operate between Tatanagar and Chhapra Junction, making two trips in each direction.

According to the railway’s announcement, the 08185 Tatanagar–Chhapra Junction special train will depart from Tatanagar at 18:10 on November 12 and 17, reaching Chhapra Junction the next day at 10:30.

Meanwhile, the 08186 Chhapra Junction–Tatanagar special train will start from Chhapra Junction at 12:40 on November 13 and 18, arriving at Tatanagar the following day at 04:00.

These trains will stop at Chittaranjan, Madhupur Junction, and Jasidih Junction stations in the Asansol railway division. The proposed configuration includes 18 ICF coaches, comprising 15 sleeper coaches and one air-conditioned two-tier coach.

Chhapra–Barauni Special Train

To accommodate the additional crowd during Chhath Puja, a pair of special trains will also run between Chhapra and Barauni Junction, each making one trip in each direction.

The 07561 Cherlapally–Barauni Junction special train will commence its journey from Cherlapally at 14:00 on November 13, reaching Barauni Junction on November 15 at 02:15.

Conversely, the 07562 Barauni Junction–Cherlapally special train will depart from Barauni Junction at 03:00 on November 15, arriving at Cherlapally the next day at 19:00.

Both trains will stop at Barakar, Chittaranjan, Madhupur, and Jasidih Junction stations in the Asansol division, operating with 22 Amrit Bharat coaches, including sleeper and general second-class coaches.

Extended Service for Ranchi-Alipurduar Special Train

In light of the increased passenger demand during Chhath Puja, the railway administration has decided to extend the operational period of the 08661/08662 Ranchi–Alipurduar Junction–Ranchi special train. This extension will allow the train to make two additional trips in each direction.

The 08661 Ranchi–Alipurduar Junction special train will depart from Ranchi on November 16 and 23, while the 08662 Alipurduar Junction–Ranchi special train will start from Alipurduar Junction on November 18 and 25. Both trains will follow their current routes with scheduled stops and coach configurations.

Special Arrangements for Passenger Safety and Convenience

As many passengers travel to celebrate the festival with their families, the Asansol division of the Eastern Railway has made special arrangements at major stations for passenger facilities, crowd management, and safety.

Railway staff from various departments are coordinating to assist passengers at Asansol, Madhupur, and Jasidih stations, ensuring smooth movement within the station premises.

Commercial department employees, including ticket booking staff and ticket examiners (TTEs), are providing information related to tickets and train operations. They are also assisting passengers in reaching the relevant platforms and coaches safely.

Special attention is being given to the convenience of women passengers, senior citizens, children, and families traveling together amidst the festival crowd.

Waiting Areas to Reduce Platform Congestion

To provide convenient waiting areas and reduce congestion on platforms, special passenger waiting areas have been set up at Asansol and Jasidih stations.

Passengers can wait at these designated spots until their trains arrive, which is especially beneficial for women, elderly passengers, and children.

Additionally, regular announcements regarding train arrivals, departures, platform changes, and other important information are being made through the public address system to keep passengers informed and avoid any confusion.

In the intervals between train announcements, traditional Chhath songs are being played, creating a festive and homely atmosphere at the stations. These songs evoke the cultural spirit of the festival for passengers traveling away from home.

Promotion of Digital Ticketing for Passenger Convenience

To reduce queues at ticket counters and provide convenient ticketing options, the use of automatic ticket vending machines, mobile booking for unreserved tickets, and the Railwan app is being encouraged.

Passengers can download the “Railwan” app from the Google Play Store and register or log in using their mobile numbers to avail themselves of available railway services.

Deployment of Railway Security Forces and CCTV Monitoring

Railway Security Force personnel have been deployed at platforms, station entrances, and other critical locations. CCTV cameras have been installed to monitor station premises and passenger movement.

Railway police are also keeping a watchful eye on thieves, pickpockets, and anti-social elements. Additionally, staff from various departments are actively involved in crowd management and passenger assistance.