To assist candidates appearing for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) Level-1 Computer Based Test, commonly known as the Group D exam, the East Central Railway (ECR) and South Eastern Railway (SER) have introduced a dedicated special train service. The 08601/08602 Ranchi-Sabour-Ranchi special train aims to provide seamless connectivity for students traveling between August 3 and August 25. While the service is primarily aimed at exam-goers, railway officials are encouraging general passengers and pilgrims to take advantage of the available capacity.
- Train Numbers: 08601 (Ranchi to Sabour) and 08602 (Sabour to Ranchi).
- Operational Dates: The 08601 runs Aug 4-6, Aug 9-14, and Aug 17-21; the 08602 runs Aug 5-7, Aug 10-15, and Aug 18-22.
- Key Route: Stops include Hazaribagh Town, Koderma, Tilaiya, Nawada, Kiul, Jamalpur, Sultanganj, and Bhagalpur.
- Coach Composition: The train features both General Second Class (GS) and Sleeper Class (SL) coaches.
Schedule and Route Details
The 08601 Ranchi-Sabour special departs from Ranchi at 7:00 PM and reaches Sabour at 8:00 AM the following morning. For the return journey, the 08602 Sabour-Ranchi special departs Sabour at 9:50 AM and arrives in Ranchi at 10:45 PM the same day. Beyond the major hubs, the train also provides additional halts at Barkakana, Warisaliganj, Sheikhpura, Lakhisarai, and Abhaipur to ensure better access for candidates from smaller towns.
Low Occupancy and Travel Appeal
Despite the importance of the exam, the inaugural run of the 08601 from Ranchi on August 4 saw 95 seats remaining vacant. In response to this low occupancy, ECR CPRO Saraswati Chandra has appealed to the general public to utilize these services. Specifically, the railways are inviting Kanwariyas traveling toward Sultanganj to consider this train as a convenient travel option. By opting for this special service, passengers can enjoy a more comfortable journey while helping the railways optimize the utilization of these additional resources during the busy examination month.