The East Central Railway (ECR) has announced a series of special measures to assist the thousands of pilgrims traveling to Baba Baidyanath Dham for the auspicious Shravani Mela. Effective July 15, 2026, these adjustments include a new station halt and the introduction of additional special train services to manage the seasonal passenger rush.
- Barbigha station now features a two-minute scheduled halt for the Howrah-Natesar-Howrah Shravani Mela Special.
- A new Danapur-Sahibganj Shravani Mela Special will run every Sunday from August 2 to August 30.
- The new special service will operate for a total of five trips to accommodate the increased pilgrim traffic.
New Halt at Barbigha Station
To improve accessibility for devotees, the Howrah-Natesar-Howrah Shravani Mela Special (03001/03002) has been granted a temporary halt at Barbigha station. For pilgrims traveling toward Natesar, train 03001 will arrive at Barbigha at 9:08 AM and depart at 9:10 AM. On the return leg, train 03002 will stop at Barbigha from 3:10 PM to 3:12 PM, providing a convenient boarding and deboarding point for those visiting the region.
Expansion of Shravani Mela Special Services
Recognizing the heavy demand during the Mela period, the ECR is introducing the Danapur-Sahibganj Shravani Mela Special (03236/03235). This train will mirror the route and existing halts of the regular Danapur-Sahibganj Intercity Express (13236/13235). Passengers can utilize this service every Sunday throughout August.
Train 03236 is scheduled to depart from Danapur at 5:15 AM, reaching its destination of Sahibganj at 1:45 PM. The return service, train 03235, will depart Sahibganj at 3:20 PM and arrive back at Danapur at 12:30 AM the following day. Key transit points for this service include Patna Junction, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, Mokama, Kiul, Sultanganj, Bhagalpur, and Pirpainti.
Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) of the East Central Railway, emphasized that these special arrangements are part of a broader effort to ensure a seamless travel experience for devotees heading to Baba Baidyanath Dham. Passengers are advised to check the official IRCTC website or the NTES app for real-time updates regarding their journey.